Even single freeriders can release avalanches very easily.
A very dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.
The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The fresh snow of Saturday and the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force westerly wind remain very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are numerous. They are to be found in all altitude zones, especially in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line.
More natural avalanches are possible. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. This applies on west, north and east facing slopes.
In addition individual wet and gliding avalanches are possible. This applies especially on cut and grassy slopes below approximately 1800 m.
The conditions are very dangerous for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 40 cm in some localities, fell on Saturday. The wind will be strong in some cases. The wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form. Up to intermediate altitudes rain has fallen.
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
The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
New snow
Wet snow
1800m
More natural avalanches are possible.
A very dangerous avalanche situation will persist.
Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow of the last few days are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The fresh snow and the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force westerly wind are very prone to triggering in all aspects. Winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily. The avalanche prone locations are numerous. They are to be found in all altitude zones, especially in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line.
As a consequence of the heavy snowfall more natural avalanches are possible. These can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size, in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. 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.
In addition individual wet and gliding avalanches are possible. This applies especially on cut and grassy slopes below approximately 1800 m.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 40 cm in some localities, fell on Saturday. Up to intermediate altitudes rain has fallen. 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 gave 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.
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.
Avalanches 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.
In addition individual wet and gliding avalanches are possible. This applies especially on cut and grassy slopes below approximately 1800 m.
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 backcountry and freeriding conditions remain dangerous.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
1800m
Even single freeriders can release avalanches very easily.
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 moist loose snow avalanches are possible. This applies especially on very steep slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Saturday. 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
Wind slab
2000m
Wet snow
1800m
Outside marked and open pistes a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
Wind slabs are very prone to triggering especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on south facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. 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 in isolated cases on west, north and east facing slopes. Isolated whumpfing sounds and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
Very isolated natural avalanches are not entirely ruled out.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet loose snow avalanches are possible. This applies especially on very steep slopes. Individual gliding avalanches can also occur. This applies in particular on cut and grassy 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. The wind will transport the 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
Increase in danger of moist and wet avalanches as a consequence of warming.
