A dangerous avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. The danger exists primarily in alpine snow sports terrain.
The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are forming during the snowfall will be deposited on a weakly bonded old snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. This also applies in isolated cases on south facing slopes at elevated altitudes. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow. This applies even in case of a small load. In isolated cases avalanches are large. This applies in particular above the tree line.
With the onset of the snowfall, the natural avalanche activity will increase. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. The avalanche prone locations are widespread and are barely recognisable. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
The danger exists primarily in alpine snow sports terrain.
Great caution and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
In some regions 60 cm of snow fell in the last few days. 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted and weak. This applies especially in shady places that are protected from the wind.
Tendency
The danger of natural avalanches will decrease. Avalanches can as before be released very easily and reach large size in isolated cases.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.
The fresh snow and the wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow. This applies even in case of a single winter sport participant. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized.
Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. 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. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. They are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted and weak.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
New snow and wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
As a consequence of southwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed on Wednesday. These will be covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches can in some places be released, even by a single winter sport participant 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 on wind-loaded slopes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
10 to 20 cm of snow will fall. As a consequence of southwesterly wind, wind slabs formed on Wednesday. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
A precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are forming during the snowfall will be deposited on 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. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
The avalanche prone locations are widespread and are barely recognisable. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
Caution and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
In some regions 40 cm of snow fell in the last few days. In some regions 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1500 m.
The new snow and wind slabs 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.
Tendency
Caution and restraint are required.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
As a consequence of snowfall and the strong to storm force southwesterly wind, the snow drift accumulations have increased in size on Wednesday. The fresh wind slabs will be covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. 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 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. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Restraint is advisable.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
Up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. Up to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. This applies in particular in the south. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from southerly directions, further wind slabs formed. 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. The current avalanche situation calls for caution and restraint.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
As a consequence of southwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed on Wednesday. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The fresh wind slabs will be covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. In particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow and reach medium size, this applies even in case of a single winter sport participant. 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.
Restraint is advisable.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
10 to 20 cm of snow will fall. As a consequence of southwesterly wind, wind slabs formed on Wednesday. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack. This applies especially on wind-protected west, north and east facing slopes. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
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 west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, as well as adjacent to ridgelines. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore barely recognisable. Mostly the avalanches are small.
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
Some snow will fall. The mostly small wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. 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 avoided.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
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 west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, as well as adjacent to ridgelines. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore barely recognisable. Mostly the avalanches are small.
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
Some snow will fall. The mostly small wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. 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.
