The conditions are very precarious for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities.
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution. Natural avalanches and loose snow slides are likely to occur.
The fresh snow of the last few days as well as the deep wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. In particular on wind-loaded slopes avalanches can be released easily and reach large size in isolated cases. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Distinct weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released even now easily by individual winter sport participants in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies in particular above the tree line on steep west, north and east facing slopes. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow. Such avalanche prone locations are numerous and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are poorly bonded with the old snowpack above the tree line. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack. This applies especially on west, north and east facing slopes. Night: Over a wide area 5 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1200 m.
Tendency
Friday: Over a wide area 5 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1300 m. The avalanche danger will not decrease for the time being.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Persistent weak layer
1800m
The natural avalanche activity will increase.
The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are critical.
In particular on west, north and east facing slopes more frequent medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible during the first half of the night. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation this applies especially. Avalanches can in many places be released in the old snowpack.
The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain. Natural avalanches and whumpfing sounds are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Remotely triggered avalanches are probable. The avalanche prone locations are prevalent and are barely recognisable.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
10 to 25 cm of snow has fallen since Tuesday. 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The new snow will be deposited on a weakly bonded old snowpack. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack.
Tendency
The avalanche conditions remain precarious.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
New snow
1000m
The conditions are precarious for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities.
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution. Natural avalanches and loose snow slides are likely to occur.
The fresh snow of the last few days as well as the deep wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. In particular on wind-loaded slopes avalanches can be released easily and reach large size in isolated cases. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Distinct weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released even now easily by individual winter sport participants in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies in particular above the tree line on steep west, north and east facing slopes. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow. Such avalanche prone locations are numerous and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are poorly bonded with the old snowpack above the tree line. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack. This applies especially on west, north and east facing slopes. Night: Over a wide area 2 to 5 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1200 m.
Tendency
Friday: Over a wide area 5 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1300 m. The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on west to north to east facing aspects. These can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. Avalanches can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size. Such avalanche prone locations are widespread.
Avalanches can additionally in some places be released in the weakly bonded old snow by a single winter sport participant. These places 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.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs have increased in size. These are lying on surface hoar in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. The snowpack is unfavourably layered. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Tendency
The wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released even now by individual winter sport participants.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
A treacherous avalanche situation will prevail. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
Distinct weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released easily by individual winter sport participants. In addition the fresh wind slabs are very easily triggered. Avalanches can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Caution and restraint are recommended.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
Up to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack. This applies especially on west, north and east facing slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche conditions remain treacherous.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
A treacherous avalanche situation will prevail. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
Distinct weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released easily by individual winter sport participants. In addition the fresh wind slabs are very easily triggered. Avalanches can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Caution and restraint are recommended.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
Up to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack. This applies especially on west, north and east facing slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche conditions remain treacherous.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on west to north to east facing aspects. These can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. Avalanches can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular on wind-loaded slopes, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above the tree line.
Avalanches can additionally in some places be released in the weakly bonded old snow also. Such avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable.
In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase. 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
As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs have increased in size additionally. These are lying on surface hoar in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. The snowpack is unfavourably layered. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released even now by individual winter sport participants. The wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. These can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, as well as adjacent to ridgelines. In isolated cases the avalanches are medium-sized.
In some places avalanches can be triggered in the old snow. This applies in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m.
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.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs have increased in size. The various wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. These are lying on surface hoar especially on wind-protected shady slopes.
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
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
The fresh wind slabs can be released easily in some cases. This applies especially on steep shady slopes, as well as adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above the tree line. In isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise.
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
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack at elevated altitudes. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
Moderate avalanche danger will prevail. Fresh wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from southerly directions, sometimes easily released wind slabs formed. The mostly small 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.
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.
