As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from westerly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs formed since Friday. Avalanches can in some cases be released by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. These places are easy to recognise.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the past few hours. As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, brittle wind slabs formed. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. The old snowpack is faceted and weak.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate at the weekend.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.
The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The avalanche prone locations are easy to recognise. Mostly the avalanches are 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
In some regions up to 15 cm of snow fell in the past few hours. As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, brittle wind slabs formed. The wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. The old snowpack is faceted and weak.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate at the weekend.
Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2600m
Wind slabs require caution.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released in some cases in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2600 m. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. In very isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Sunny slopes: In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Some snow has fallen in particular in the north. As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs formed. The hard wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
Shady slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. A little snow is lying in all altitude zones. Steep south facing slopes: The snowpack is well consolidated and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger will prevail. Wind slabs require caution.
Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger. These are small. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes and adjacent to ridgelines.
Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
The mostly small wind slabs of yesterday are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The old snowpack is faceted, especially on west, north and east facing slopes at elevated altitudes.
The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In all altitude zones only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.
Tendency
Low avalanche danger will prevail.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Wind slabs require caution. Very isolated avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released in isolated cases in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly avalanches are only small. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Sunny slopes: In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.
Snowpack
As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs formed. The hard wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
Shady slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. A little snow is lying in all altitude zones. Steep south facing slopes: The snowpack is well consolidated and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases.
