Avalanche.report

Monday 17 March 2025

Published 16 Mar 2025, 17:00:00


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2400m


Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. Fresh wind slabs at elevated altitudes.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on very steep west facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Avalanches can reach medium size.

Fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on sunny slopes in high Alpine regions.

Small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are possible, in the event of prolonged bright spells especially on extremely steep slopes.

On steep grassy slopes individual small to medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from northerly directions, wind slabs will form on Monday especially in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers especially on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the centre of the old snowpack especially on little used shady slopes.
The old snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes. The high humditiy gave rise to moistening of the snowpack in some cases also at high altitude. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Tendency

The weather conditions will facilitate a stabilisation of the snowpack. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above approximately 2000 m. In very isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized.

The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in little used backcountry terrain.

Individual loose snow avalanches are possible. In the event of prolonged bright spells this applies on extremely steep slopes.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

In some regions up to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days above approximately 2000 m.

In the last few days the wind was moderate to strong at times. The wind has transported the new snow. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.

The snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Tendency

The weather conditions will facilitate a stabilisation of the snowpack.