Fresh wind slabs require caution. Weakly bonded old snow at elevated altitudes.
The wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in west to north to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can reach medium size. 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.
Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size, in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as in gullies and bowls. Steep, glaciated terrain must also be critically assessed.
Only isolated gliding avalanches are possible.
The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
A little snow is lying. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In the last few days the wind was moderate to strong. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers especially on steep shady slopes. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. Isolated whumpfing sounds and snow profiles show the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.
Tendency
Wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found on wind-protected northwest, north and northeast facing slopes above approximately 1800 m.
Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in near-ground layers, even by a single winter sport participant. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but are barely recognisable. In steep gullies avalanches can in some cases reach medium size. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack in places that are protected from the wind. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation this applies in particular on northwest, north and northeast facing slopes.
Tendency
The snowpack remains unstable at elevated altitudes.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Weakly bonded old snow at elevated altitudes.
As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from variable directions, wind slabs formed in the last few days. Avalanches can be released in near-ground layers in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. This applies even in case of a single winter sport participant. In steep gullies they can reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on sunny slopes in high Alpine regions. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. This applies especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m in places that are protected from the wind.
Tendency
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
The wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. 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.
The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In the last few days the wind was moderate to strong. The fresh wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack especially on steep shady slopes.
Tendency
Wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
Danger level
Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls.
As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from variable directions, wind slabs formed especially in gullies and bowls. These can in very isolated cases be released by a single winter sport participant, but they will be small in most cases. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
Wind slabs are lying on soft layers. The weather conditions will facilitate a settling of the snowpack.
