Outside marked and open pistes a precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack can be released very easily in all aspects. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The avalanche prone locations are numerous and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. They are to be found above the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The wind will be strong. 15 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen.
Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. Steep north facing slopes: The old snowpack is very weak; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. Steep east, south and west facing slopes: The old snowpack is faceted and its surface has a crust that is barely capable of bearing a load.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will increase but remain within the current danger level.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Outside marked and open pistes a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack can be released very easily in all aspects. Mostly avalanches are small. The avalanche prone locations are numerous and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. They are to be found above the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The wind will be strong. 10 to 15 cm of snow fell in the last two days.
Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. Steep north facing slopes: The old snowpack is very weak; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. Steep east, south and west facing slopes: The old snowpack is faceted and its surface has a crust that is barely capable of bearing a load.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will increase but remain within the current danger level.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind. Wind slabs represent the main danger.
As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the previously small wind slabs will increase in size as the day progresses. The fresh wind slabs can be released easily by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on southwest to north to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2200 m and on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. In particular in shady places that are protected from the wind avalanches can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as in gullies and bowls. 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
5 to 15 cm of snow has fallen. The strong wind will transport the new snow significantly.
The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted and its surface has a crust that is barely capable of bearing a load.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
Tendency
Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.
Some fresh snow and the mostly small wind slabs that are being formed by the strong northwesterly wind represent the main danger. These can in some cases be released easily.
The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. 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
The wind will be strong. Up to 15 cm of snow has fallen since yesterday.
Fresh and older wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted and its surface has a crust that is barely capable of bearing a load.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. A little snow is lying in all altitude zones.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
The fresh wind slabs are mostly only small but prone to triggering.
The fresh wind slabs can be released easily by a single winter sport participant especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Some snow has fallen. The wind will be strong. The wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers at elevated altitudes.
The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. A little snow is lying in all altitude zones.
