A sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will prevail. Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.
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 1800 m. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent 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 can indicate the danger.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The fresh snow of last week and the sometimes large wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted.
Distinct weak layers exist in the snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanches can as before be released by a single winter sport participant.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
A treacherous avalanche situation will persist. Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.
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, and on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. 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 adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. 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 fresh avalanches confirm a treacherous avalanche situation. Caution and restraint are recommended.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
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.
On steep sunny slopes the snowpack will freeze but not form a strong crust, in particular below approximately 2400 m.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants. In particular in the south up to 15 cm of snow will fall. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the fresh and old snow significantly. The avalanche activity will increase.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
A treacherous avalanche situation will prevail. Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated critically.
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 approximately 1800 m, in isolated cases also on south facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
The avalanche prone locations are widespread 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.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
The fresh snow of last week and the extensive wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. 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.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
The somewhat older 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.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
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from southerly directions, easily released wind slabs will form.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. Fresh wind slabs require 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 fresh wind slabs can be released at elevated altitudes. This applies in particular adjacent to ridgelines. Mostly avalanches are small.
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.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a consequence of a gusty wind from northerly directions, mostly small wind slabs formed. As a consequence of a strengthening wind from southerly directions, further wind slabs will form. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on surface hoar in some places.
The old snowpack is faceted and weak. Weak layers exist in the snowpack.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants. As a consequence of a strong wind from southerly directions, easily released wind slabs will form.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
The 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. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released even now by individual winter sport participants. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from southerly directions, easily released wind slabs will form.
Danger level
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
The somewhat older 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
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.
