Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.
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 approximately 2000 m. 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.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack 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
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 the old snowpack.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
A precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.
Avalanches can over a wide area be released 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. In isolated cases 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.
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.
Experience and restraint are important.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
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 the old snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanches can as before be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Wind slabs represent the main danger.
The somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2000 m. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2400 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 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. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
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
The wind slabs have settled a little. They are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Steep south facing slopes: As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface.
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 avoided.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.
The somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2000 m. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2400 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 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. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.
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
The wind slabs have settled a little. They are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Steep south facing slopes: As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface.
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 avoided.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Wind slabs are to be avoided.
The somewhat older 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 west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2000 m and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Such avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. In 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The wind slabs have settled a little. They are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Steep south facing slopes: As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface.
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
Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain at elevated altitudes.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
The 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 particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2000 m. 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. At elevated altitudes 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
The wind slabs have settled a little. They are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Steep south facing slopes: As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface.
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 avoided.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
A little snow is lying. Wind slabs require caution.
The somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated 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
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.
