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
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 strong to storm force southwesterly wind, the snow drift accumulations have increased in size. The fresh wind slabs will be covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. 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. 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. 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.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of 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
Up to 15 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. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from southwesterly directions, further wind slabs formed. They are lying on surface hoar in some places in particular on shady slopes above the tree line. The somewhat older 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
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. The current avalanche situation calls for caution and restraint.
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 has fallen over a wide area. Some snow will fall over a wide area. As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong 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.
