Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for great restraint.
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution. Very steep sunny slopes: Increase in danger of wet avalanches as a consequence of warming.
The northwesterly wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. In particular at high altitude avalanche prone wind slabs formed, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas in all altitude zones, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain at elevated altitudes. On very steep sunny slopes medium-sized natural avalanches must be expected. In some places the avalanches can penetrate down to the ground and reach large size. Mostly the dry avalanches are medium-sized and can be released by a single winter sport participant. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. The avalanche prone locations are prevalent and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Backcountry touring calls for meticulous route selection.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The new snow and wind slabs of last week are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line. Distinct weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. The meteorological conditions will foster a gradual weakening of the snowpack on sunny slopes. The snowpack remains unstable over a wide area, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas in all altitude zones, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain at elevated altitudes.
Tendency
The snowpack remains prone to triggering over a wide area. The avalanche danger will persist. The activity of wet avalanches will gradually increase.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
2000m
Wet snow
Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in isolated cases.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in isolated cases by individual winter sport participants especially in little used terrain. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized.
In addition the wind slabs in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain are prone to triggering in some cases still. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on north, east and southeast facing slopes above the tree line.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small and medium-sized wet avalanches are possible. This applies in particular on very steep sunny slopes below approximately 2200 m. Restraint is advisable.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The sometimes storm force wind has transported some snow. Sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed.
The snowpack will be in some cases prone to triggering. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. The meteorological conditions will foster a gradual weakening of the snowpack on sunny slopes.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger.
