A critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.
The fresh snow and the sometimes deep wind slabs are very prone to triggering. Avalanches can in many places be released very easily. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line. Such avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are therefore barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. To some extent avalanches can penetrate deep layers and reach large size. Caution is to be exercised in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as on wind-loaded slopes. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. The runout zones of large avalanches are to be treated with caution.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Defensive route selection is important.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The wind will be strong at times.
The old snowpack is faceted. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanches can as before be released very easily and reach large size in isolated cases.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Off-piste activities call for great caution and restraint.
Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can be released over a wide area easily by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line. Such avalanche prone locations are numerous but are difficult to recognise. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 4 (high) the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Defensive route selection is recommended.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. The wind will be strong at times.
The old snowpack is faceted. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
The avalanche-prone wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. They represent the main danger.
As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released very easily. They are barely recognisable. 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 quite a large 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.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
15 to 25 cm of snow fell in the last few days. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. Up to 10 cm of snow will fall. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally.
In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly. The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted.
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
Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.
Distinct weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can be released very easily. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects 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. In isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
10 to 30 cm of snow fell in the last few days. Up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The wind will be strong at times.
Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m
Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.
In all regions in all altitude zones hardly any snow is lying. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly avalanches are only small. At elevated altitudes these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. 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 snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. The hard wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. The old snowpack is faceted. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack on wind-protected shady slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slabs represent the main danger. They can be released easily.
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 the tree line and on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. In many cases avalanches are rather small. In particular in shady places that are protected from the wind they can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases, especially at elevated altitudes. 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. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger.
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 dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
Up to 30 cm of snow fell in the last few days. As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally.
The fresh wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. The old snowpack is faceted. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together.
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. Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Wind slabs require caution.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released 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 1800 m. 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. In isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation loose snow avalanches are to be expected. 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 dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
Up to 20 cm of snow fell in the last few days. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly.
In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
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 with care and prudence. Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released easily. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line, in isolated cases also in areas close to the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as adjacent to ridgelines. Such avalanche prone locations are easy to recognise. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) such avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. In some cases the avalanches in these loacations are medium-sized.
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. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. The wind will be strong in some regions.
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.
Tendency
Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases.
The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on southwest to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line and on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Mostly avalanches are small. In particular in shady places that are protected from the wind they can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size in some cases. 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. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger.
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 dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size moderately.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. The old snowpack is faceted. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together.
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 with care and prudence. Further decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Wind slabs require caution.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases 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 dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
The sometimes strong wind will transport the snow. 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.
Tendency
Wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.
In all regions in all altitude zones hardly any snow is lying. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly avalanches are only small. At elevated altitudes these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. 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 snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. The hard wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. The old snowpack is faceted. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack on wind-protected shady slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack.
Wind slabs are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in the old snowpack. The avalanche prone locations are rare but are easy to recognise. Mostly avalanches are 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
Up to 10 cm of snow fell in the last few days. The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. The old snowpack is faceted.
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.
