Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated critically. Gliding avalanches are still possible.
As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong northwesterly wind, easily released wind slabs will form. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line and above the tree line. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially unfavourable. The avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye.
Isolated small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
Avalanches can additionally in very isolated cases be released in the weakly bonded old snow. These avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Avalanches can reach medium size.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
15 to 25 cm of snow has fallen. The wind will be moderate.
Shady slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals and has a loosely bonded surface.
Steep sunny slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack. These are rather small but can be released even by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In particular northwest, north and east facing slopes are unfavourable. In high Alpine regions the avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects.
As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, clearly visible wind slabs will form. The avalanches are rather small but in some cases easily released.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. Shady slopes: Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack. The snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places, in particular on northwest, north and east facing slopes at high altitude, as well as in all aspects in high Alpine regions. Hard wind slabs are lying on soft layers at elevated altitudes. Steep sunny slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. These avalanche prone locations are rather rare but are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Fresh wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated critically. Gliding avalanches are still possible.
As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong northwesterly wind, easily released wind slabs will form. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line and above the tree line. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially unfavourable. The avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye.
Isolated small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
Avalanches can additionally in very isolated cases be released in the weakly bonded old snow. These avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, caution is to be exercised in particular in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Avalanches can reach medium size.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
5 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind will be moderate.
Shady slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals and has a loosely bonded surface.
Steep sunny slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.
Danger level
From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. The avalanche prone locations are rare.
Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released, in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Mostly avalanches are only small. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
Shady slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals. Hard wind slabs are lying on soft layers at elevated altitudes. Steep sunny slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases. As a consequence of a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, small wind slabs will form in the course of the day in isolated cases. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
The avalanche prone locations are rare. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released.
Danger level
Fresh wind slabs require caution. Gliding avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong northwesterly wind, small wind slabs will form. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line and above the tree line. The fresh wind slabs can be released easily.
On steep grassy slopes more gliding avalanches are possible, even medium-sized ones. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.
Snowpack
5 to 10 cm of snow has fallen. The wind will be moderate.
Shady slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals and has a loosely bonded surface.
Steep sunny slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases.
