Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
As a consequence of and snowfall the moderate to strong southwesterly wind, the snow drift accumulations will increase in size. In particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded 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 sometimes covered with new snow and are barely recognisable. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Restraint is advisable.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
In some localities up to 10 cm of snow will fall. This applies in particular in the south. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on surface hoar in some places in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from southerly directions, further wind slabs will form. These are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above approximately 2000 m. The old snowpack is faceted and weak. This applies especially in shady places that are protected from the wind.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
As a consequence of snowfall and the moderate to strong southwesterly wind, the snow drift accumulations will increase in size. The fresh snow and the wind slabs formed during the snowfall are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow. This applies in case of a single winter sport participant. In some cases avalanches are medium-sized. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are barely recognisable. 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
Up to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. As a consequence of a moderate wind from southwesterly directions, further wind slabs will form. They will be deposited on surface hoar in some places in particular on shady slopes above the tree line. The more recent wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on shady slopes above the tree line.
The old snowpack is faceted and weak. This applies especially in shady places that are protected from the wind. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.
Tendency
The current avalanche situation calls for caution and restraint. The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering. Slight increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
The fresh snow and the wind slabs formed during the snowfall are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow. This applies even in case of a small load. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are barely recognisable.
In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche danger is a little higher.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Up to 10 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. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slabs require caution.
Wind slabs can in isolated cases be released. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes, as well as adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above the tree line. 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
Some snow will fall over a wide area. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate southerly wind, mostly small wind slabs formed. 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. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
