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.
The extensive wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects. Avalanches can reach quite a large size especially in shady places that are protected from the wind. At high altitude and in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent.
Snowpack
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs formed in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes. Precarious weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially on shady slopes.
Tendency
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be critically assessed. Until Monday the weather will be cold. These weather conditions will prevent a rapid stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. Wind slabs require caution.
Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow by a single winter sport participant. 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. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Avalanches can reach medium size.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on west to north to east facing aspects. Avalanches can reach medium size in particular on shady slopes.
Snowpack
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from northeasterly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, especially in the east. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes.
Faceted weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially on shady slopes.
Tendency
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be assessed with care and prudence. The weather conditions will facilitate a slow stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack necessitate caution.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on west to north to east facing aspects. Caution is to be exercised in particular on near-ridge slopes above approximately 2200 m. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the danger.
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
As a consequence of the occasionally strong northeasterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.
Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular above approximately 2400 m.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs require caution. As a consequence of rising temperatures the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
The fresh and older wind slabs of the last few days represent the main danger.
As a consequence of a sometimes strong northeasterly wind, 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 west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised on near-ridge slopes. The somewhat older wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. In little used backcountry terrain the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are especially unfavourable.
Small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
As a consequence of the occasionally strong northeasterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m.
Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular above approximately 2400 m.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs require caution. As a consequence of rising temperatures the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Wind slabs require caution.
As a consequence of a sometimes strong northeasterly wind, 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 west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised on near-ridge slopes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a consequence of the occasionally strong northeasterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs require caution. As a consequence of rising temperatures the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.
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. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger, 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.
Mostly avalanches are rather 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
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs formed in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes.
Individual weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially on shady slopes.
The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations over a wide area. Only a little snow is lying.
Tendency
Wind slabs require caution. Until Monday the weather will be cold. These weather conditions will prevent a rapid stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant, in particular on shady slopes above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
Mostly avalanches are rather 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.
In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche danger is a little higher.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from northeasterly directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes.
Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack especially on shady slopes.
The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations over a wide area. Only a little snow is lying.
Tendency
Wind slabs require caution. The weather conditions will facilitate a slow stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.
