The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are precarious. The avalanche danger is within the uppermost range of danger level 3 (considerable).
Avalanches can in many places be released in the old snowpack. In isolated cases these are large and can be released easily even by a single winter sport participant. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of avalanches being released will increase. Caution is to be exercised in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 1800 m. Remotely triggered avalanches are probable. Individual natural avalanches are still not ruled out.
The avalanche prone locations are prevalent and are barely recognisable. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.
Mostly small loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation. Individual gliding avalanches can also occur.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
In some localities up to 50 cm of snow has fallen since Tuesday. Some snow will fall. The new snow is lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 1800 m. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack.
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
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
Up to 10 cm of snow will fall. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs 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. Individual natural avalanches are not entirely ruled out.
Caution and restraint are recommended.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
In some regions 15 to 25 cm of snow has fallen since Tuesday. This applies in particular on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the south. Up to 10 cm of snow 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
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be critically assessed.
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. Such avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. In isolated cases the avalanches are medium-sized.
In some places avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow. This applies in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
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
Up to 10 cm of snow will fall. The no longer entirely fresh 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
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
Up to 10 cm of snow will fall. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs 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
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
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
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.
