Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released by individual winter sport participants in all aspects. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise.
As a consequence of new snow and wind, sometimes easily released wind slabs formed in the last few days in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain as well as above the tree line. Weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. On steep slopes slab avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Little snow has fallen in some regions. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. In particular above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The meteorological conditions will foster a gradual strengthening of the snowpack. Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will decrease.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
Single winter sport participants can release avalanches in some places. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. Avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, in isolated cases also on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are therefore barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Defensive route selection is appropriate.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation individual wet loose snow slides are possible as the day progresses, especially on very steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations at elevated altitudes. The somewhat older wind slabs of the last few days are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. This also applies in isolated cases on south facing slopes in high Alpine regions. The weather conditions will foster a stabilisation of the snowpack.
Steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m: As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust will form on the surface. Low and intermediate altitudes: The old snowpack is moist and its surface consists of loosely bonded snow lying on a crust that is strong in many cases. This applies in particular on shady slopes.
Tendency
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
Single winter sport participants can release avalanches in isolated cases. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, in isolated cases also on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation individual wet loose snow slides are possible as the day progresses, especially on very steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations at elevated altitudes. The somewhat older wind slabs of the last few days are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. This also applies in isolated cases on south facing slopes in high Alpine regions. The weather conditions will foster a stabilisation of the snowpack.
Steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m: As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust will form on the surface. Low and intermediate altitudes: The old snowpack is moist and its surface consists of loosely bonded snow lying on a crust that is strong in many cases. This applies in particular on shady slopes.
Tendency
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep slopes at high altitude, also on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. The avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye.
Snowpack
The various wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. In particular above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Below the tree line hardly any snow is lying. The meteorological conditions will foster a gradual strengthening of the snowpack. Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will decrease.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2200m
Backcountry tourers or freeriders can release avalanches only in isolated cases.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released by individual winter sport participants in particular in little used terrain. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west, north and northeast facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized. The avalanche situation is more favourable in highly frequented off-piste terrain. In addition still more very occasional medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack in particular on west, north and northeast facing slopes. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.
The old snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes. This applies in particular on south facing slopes. Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The weather conditions will facilitate a gradual stabilisation of the snowpack.
Tendency
Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Avalanches can in some places be released by small loads and reach medium size. This applies in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Only isolated gliding avalanches are possible, even medium-sized ones. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m.
Defensive route selection is important.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.2: gliding snow
The somewhat older wind slabs of the last few days are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. Weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack also on south facing slopes. This applies in particular in high Alpine regions. The old snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes. This applies in particular on south facing slopes. Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The weather conditions will bring about a gradual stabilisation of the snowpack.
Tendency
Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Wind slabs require caution.
The wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases in particular on very steep northwest, north and northeast facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. The avalanches are rather small. 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
The rather small wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
The old snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes. This applies in particular on south facing slopes. Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.
Tendency
Old wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
Old wind slabs require caution.
Single winter sport participants can release avalanches only in isolated cases, caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Mostly avalanches are small.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation individual wet loose snow slides are possible as the day progresses, especially on very steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The somewhat older wind slabs are in individual cases still prone to triggering in particular on shady slopes above the tree line. This applies in particular at high altitude. The old snowpack is moist and its surface consists of loosely bonded snow lying on a crust that is strong in many cases. This applies especially at low and intermediate altitudes.
