The fresh and older wind slabs of the last few days represent the main danger.
As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The fresh and older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. Caution is to be exercised on near-ridge slopes. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. As a consequence of the sometimes strong westerly wind the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent as the day progresses.
Small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 5 to 10 cm of snow, and up to 20 cm in some localities, will fall in the next few hours. As a consequence of the strong to storm force westerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form in the course of the day.
The sleet gave rise on Tuesday to increasing moistening of the snowpack below approximately 2200 m. Shady slopes above approximately 2400 m: The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. All aspects above approximately 2200 m: The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
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. In particular in regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more widespread and the danger is greater. 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 up to 10 cm of snow will fall. This applies in particular in the north. Over a wide area in some localities up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. This applies in particular in the south. 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
New snow and weakly bonded old snow are to be critically assessed.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2400m
The fresh and older wind slabs of the last few days represent the main danger. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack necessitate caution.
As a consequence of a strong westerly wind, further wind slabs will form in the course of the day in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects. Caution is to be exercised in particular on near-ridge slopes above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. At elevated altitudes the prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses.
Avalanches can additionally in some places 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 dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Some snow will fall in some regions. As a consequence of the occasionally strong westerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form in the course of the day.
Shady slopes above approximately 2400 m: The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. All aspects above approximately 2400 m: The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
The fresh and older wind slabs of the last few days represent the main danger.
As a consequence of a sometimes strong westerly wind, further wind slabs will form in the course of the day in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Caution is to be exercised in particular on near-ridge slopes above the tree line. As a consequence of the sometimes strong westerly wind the prevalence of these avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses.
Hardly any more gliding avalanches are to be expected.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a consequence of the occasionally strong westerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form in the course of the day.
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 will be deposited on a crust.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.
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. Some snow has fallen over a wide area. This applies in particular in the south. 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. The rain gave rise to moistening of the snowpack in particular in the Prealps below approximately 1700 m.
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.
