The old wind slabs are small and unlikely to be released now. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found on extremely steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes, in particular in gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are rare and are easy to recognise. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls.
Snowpack
Only a little snow is now lying. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. Shady slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals. Steep sunny slopes: As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface.
Tendency
Low avalanche danger will prevail. The avalanche prone locations are rare.
Danger level
A mostly favourable avalanche situation will prevail.
The small wind slabs can be released in isolated cases on extremely steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised on near-ridge slopes, as well as in gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are rare and are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Wind slabs are to be avoided in particular in terrain where there is a danger of falling.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year. Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.
Shady slopes: The wind slabs have bonded quite well with the old snowpack. The snowpack consists of faceted crystals, especially in places that are protected from the wind. On steep sunny slopes below the tree line hardly any snow is lying. High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface.
Tendency
A favourable avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
As a consequence of a moderate to strong southerly wind, small wind slabs will form adjacent to ridgelines. This applies in particular in the regions that are exposed to the foehn wind. Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls above approximately 2200 m. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls. Avalanches can in very isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
As a consequence of a moderate to strong southerly foehn wind, wind slabs will form in the course of the day in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack.
Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. On sunny slopes at low and intermediate altitudes hardly any snow is lying.
Tendency
As a consequence of new snow and a storm force southerly foehn wind, further wind slabs will form. Fresh wind slabs are only small but in some cases prone to triggering.
Danger level
Wind slabs require caution.
The somewhat older wind slabs can be released in isolated cases in particular on extremely steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, especially at transitions into gullies and bowls. The mostly small wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls. Avalanches can in very isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year. Snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Shady slopes: The no longer entirely fresh wind slabs are in individual cases still prone to triggering. The snowpack consists of faceted crystals, especially in places that are protected from the wind. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist deeper in the old snowpack. Steep sunny slopes: As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface. On sunny slopes at low and intermediate altitudes hardly any snow is lying.
