A very dangerous avalanche situation will persist.
Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the strong westerly wind are very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. Winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily. The avalanche prone locations are numerous. They are to be found also in steep terrain in areas close to the tree line, caution is to be exercised below the tree line.
More natural avalanches are to be expected. These can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size, in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. Caution is to be exercised in particular in leeward starting zones that have retained the snow thus far. In the typical avalanche paths here avalanches can in very isolated cases reach very large size. Exposed transportation routes can be endangered.
As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of natural avalanches being released will increase significantly.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday, this applies in particular as the day progresses. Up to intermediate altitudes rain will fall. The wind will be strong to storm force in some cases.
The snowpack will be prone to triggering. Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. The various wind slabs have bonded insufficiently with each other and the old snowpack. Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes.
The rain will give rise to softening of the snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes.
Tendency
The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain very dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily. Natural avalanches are possible.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
1800m
Remotely triggered and natural avalanches are possible.
Outside marked and open pistes a dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.
Wind slabs are very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line, caution is to be exercised, including in areas close to the tree line. Avalanches can be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack. Additionally avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size on west, north and east facing slopes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
As a consequence of the strong to storm force foehn wind from the north more natural avalanches are possible. This applies in case of releases originating from very steep leeward starting zones, in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet small and medium sized avalanches are possible. This applies especially on very steep slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
20 to 40 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. Thus far the wind has been strong to storm force. Some snow will fall. This applies in particular in the north. The wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form.
The snowpack will be prone to triggering over a wide area. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. Distinct weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.
The weather conditions as the day progresses will give rise to moistening of the snowpack.
Tendency
The off-piste conditions remain dangerous.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
New snow
Treeline
Wet snow
1800m
Natural avalanches are to be expected.
A very dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.
Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the strong westerly wind are very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are numerous. They are to be found also in steep terrain in areas close to the tree line.
More natural avalanches are to be expected. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. This applies on west, north and east facing slopes.
With the onset of the intense precipitation, the natural avalanche activity will increase. Caution is to be exercised in particular in leeward starting zones. As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of natural avalanches being released will increase significantly.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday, this applies in particular as the day progresses. The wind will be moderate to strong. The wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form. Up to intermediate altitudes rain will fall.
The snowpack will be prone to triggering over a wide area. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Distinct weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.
Tendency
Some snow will fall in some regions. The rain will give rise to softening of the snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form on Saturday. The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain very dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily. More natural avalanches are possible.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
1800m
An unfavourable avalanche situation will prevail. As a consequence of the strong foehn wind from the north more natural avalanches are possible as the day progresses.
Wind slabs are very prone to triggering in all aspects. These can be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack. Avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size on west, north and east facing slopes. As a consequence of the strong foehn wind from the north individual natural avalanches are possible as the day progresses. This applies especially at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The runout zones are to be avoided.
In addition an appreciable danger of loose snow avalanches exists.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. The northerly foehn wind will transport the new snow. Over a wide area further wind slabs will form. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes.
Tendency
The conditions remain unfavourable. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of moist avalanches being released will increase.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wet snow
1800m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in areas close to the tree line and above the tree line.
The fresh wind slabs can in some places be released very easily and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, caution is to be exercised in areas close to the tree line, and above the tree line. The wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches can additionally be released in the weakly bonded old snow in particular in shady places that are protected from the wind. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
5 to 15 cm of snow will fall during the night. The wind will be moderate.
The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers. They are lying on surface hoar in some places. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes.
Tendency
The conditions remain unfavourable. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of moist avalanches being released will increase.
