Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs can be released easily in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2000 m. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as in places that are protected from the wind. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
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.
Small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
In some regions 20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen above approximately 1200 m. As a consequence of a strong wind from southerly directions, soft wind slabs formed. These are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above approximately 2000 m. This applies especially in shady places that are protected from the wind. The old snowpack is faceted. The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days must be evaluated with care and prudence.
The fresh snow as well as the many mostly small wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering. These can be released in the weakly bonded old snow by a single winter sport participant. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes, as well as adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in particular above the tree line. Mostly avalanches are small. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution and restraint. 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.1: deep persistent weak layer
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. The fresh snow and the wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on steep shady slopes. The old snowpack is faceted. Individual weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack on wind-protected shady slopes.
