Avalanche.report Thursday 9 January 2025

Danger level

treeline

Avalanche Problem

Persistent weak layer

Treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow. These avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, 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. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Avalanches can reach medium size.

As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, wind slabs formed in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The fresh wind slabs remain prone to triggering. At high altitude and in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line and above the tree line.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Over a wide area in some localities up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. This applies in particular in the south. 15 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Tuesday. In particular from the Adamello- Presanella to the Brenta Range up to 50 cm of snow fell on Tuesday. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the new snow. The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes.

Shady slopes: The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers.

Steep sunny slopes: The older wind slabs are lying on a crust.

Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.

Tendency

Over a wide area up to 10 cm of snow will fall. The storm force wind will transport the new snow. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Danger level

treeline

Avalanche Problem

Wind slab

Treeline

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant, in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized. 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

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Some snow will fall over a wide area. This applies in particular in the south. Over a wide area up to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Tuesday. In particular from the Folgaria- Laverone to the Dolomites up to 30 cm of snow fell on Tuesday. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the new snow. The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes.

Shady slopes: The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers.

Steep sunny slopes: The fresh wind slabs are lying on a crust.

The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations over a wide area.

Tendency

Some snow will fall over a wide area. The storm force wind will transport the new snow. Fresh wind slabs require caution.