Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer

Treeline

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. 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 covered with new snow and are barely recognisable. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.

Snowpack

dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Up to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Saturday. 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 the tree line. The old snowpack is faceted and weak. This applies especially in shady places that are protected from the wind. The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

The current avalanche situation calls for caution and restraint.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days must be evaluated with care and prudence.

The fresh snow and the wind slabs formed during the snowfall are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. 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. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow. This applies even in case of a small load. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are barely recognisable.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

Up to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate southerly wind, mostly small wind slabs formed.
The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. They are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. Precarious weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack on wind-protected shady slopes. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.

Tendency