Danger level

Wet snow

Treeline Treeline

The danger of wet and gliding avalanches will increase during the day, reaching danger level 4 (high). As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of wet avalanches being released will increase significantly in particular on steep slopes below the tree line. The surface of the snowpack is hardly frozen at all and will already soften in the late morning. A clear night will be followed in the early morning by quite favourable conditions generally, but the danger of wet and gliding avalanches will increase later. During the morning as well, individual, then as the precipitation becomes heavier more wet avalanches are to be expected. On steep southeast, south and southwest facing slopes and at low and intermediate altitudes numerous medium-sized and large natural wet avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of warming. On sunny slopes a high danger of wet and gliding avalanches will be encountered over a wide area. As the temperature drops there will be a gradual decrease in the avalanche danger towards the evening.

The danger of wet and gliding avalanches will increase during the day, reaching danger level 4 (high). As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of wet avalanches being released will increase significantly in particular on steep slopes below the tree line. The surface of the snowpack is hardly frozen at all and will already soften in the late morning. A clear night will be followed in the early morning by quite favourable conditions generally, but the danger of wet and gliding avalanches will increase later. During the morning as well, individual, then as the precipitation becomes heavier more wet avalanches are to be expected. On steep southeast, south and southwest facing slopes and at low and intermediate altitudes numerous medium-sized and large natural wet avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of warming. On sunny slopes a high danger of wet and gliding avalanches will be encountered over a wide area. As the temperature drops there will be a gradual decrease in the avalanche danger towards the evening.

Snowpack

dp.3: rain
dp.2: gliding snow

As a consequence of sharply rising temperatures and rain up to high altitudes a critical avalanche situation will develop. The old snowpack is faceted and weak. The rain will give rise to extreme and thorough wetting of the snowpack in all aspects below approximately 2400 m. These conditions will cause a very rapid weakening of the snowpack.
The snowpack is moist and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes above the tree line. The surface of the snowpack will soften during the day. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to a loss of strength within the snowpack over a wide area in particular on very steep sunny slopes.

Tendency

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer

Treeline

Dry avalanches can be released in the old snowpack, mostly by large additional loads in isolated cases.

Weakly bonded old snow on steep shady slopes. Distinct weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can be released in isolated cases even by individual winter sport participants on steep shady slopes. This applies in particular in little used terrain as well as in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow above approximately 2300 m. Avalanches can penetrate even deep layers and reach a dangerous size. Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate defensive route selection. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger.

Weakly bonded old snow on steep shady slopes. Distinct weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can be released in isolated cases even by individual winter sport participants on steep shady slopes. This applies in particular in little used terrain as well as in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow above approximately 2300 m. Avalanches can penetrate even deep layers and reach a dangerous size. Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate defensive route selection. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger.

Snowpack

dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

The old snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places. This applies in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. Towards its surface, the snowpack is unfavourably layered and its surface consists of loosely bonded snow lying on a melt-freeze crust that is barely capable of bearing a load. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Reports filed by observers and field observations confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack on steep shady slopes. The meteorological conditions will foster a substantial weakening of the near-surface layers.
The snowpack will be prone to triggering in the northeast and in the northwest.

Tendency