The conditions are treacherous for backcountry touring.
A precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. Caution and restraint are required.
Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow very easily. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, in isolated cases also on south facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases. Remotely triggered avalanches are probable.
The avalanche prone locations are widespread and are barely recognisable. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Fresh avalanches and 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 dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
The large quantity of fresh snow of last week and the extensive wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack is faceted.
Distinct weak layers exist in the snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanches can as before be released very easily. The snowpack remains prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
An unfavourable avalanche situation will prevail. Defensive route selection is required.
Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow, even by a single winter sport participant. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
The avalanche prone locations are numerous and are barely recognisable. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. 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.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The large quantity of fresh snow of last week and the extensive wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack is faceted.
Distinct weak layers exist in the snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanches can as before be released, even by a single winter sport participant. The snowpack remains prone to triggering.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.
Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow by a single winter sport participant. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized.
The avalanche prone locations are and are difficult to recognise. 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
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above approximately 2200 m. The old snowpack is faceted.
Weak layers exist in the snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
The conditions are sometimes treacherous for backcountry touring.
Outside marked and open pistes a precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
The fresh snow as well as the widespread wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, in isolated cases also in areas close to the tree line. Avalanches can be released easily and reach medium size. 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. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
Field observations and avalanches triggered by explosives confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. Caution and restraint are recommended.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
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 west, north and east facing slopes.
Tendency
Avalanches can as before be released, even by a single winter sport participant. The snowpack remains prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
The conditions are sometimes precarious for backcountry touring.
Outside marked and open pistes a precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
The fresh snow as well as the widespread wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, in isolated cases also in areas close to the tree line. Avalanches can be released easily and reach medium size. 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. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
Field observations and avalanches triggered by explosives confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. Caution and restraint are recommended.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
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 west, north and east facing slopes.
Tendency
Avalanches can as before be released, even by a single winter sport participant. The snowpack remains prone to triggering.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
The 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 2000 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 dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The mostly small wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing 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 and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
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 approximately 1800 m. 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. 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.
Tendency
Wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are prone to triggering above the tree line. These are 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. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep 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 on wind-loaded slopes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Tendency
Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2000 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
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.
