Avalanche.report

Saturday 18 January 2025

Published 17 Jan 2025, 17:00:00


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m


Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

The fresh and older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in particular on west to north to east facing aspects. This also applies in isolated cases on very steep sunny slopes in high Alpine regions. The mostly small wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye.

Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in deep layers and reach medium size. These avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions, especially in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
Faceted weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially on shady slopes.
Snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

Tendency

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be assessed with care and prudence. The weather conditions will facilitate a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Avalanches can still in isolated cases be released by a single winter sport participant, in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are rather rare and are easy to recognise. 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 sometimes strong wind from easterly directions, mostly small wind slabs formed 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.

A little snow is lying.

Tendency

Wind slabs require caution. The weather conditions will facilitate a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.