Currently there are quite favourable conditions generally. Avalanches can still in isolated cases be released by large loads, but they will be small in most cases. This applies especially in extremely steep terrain at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Elsewhere, avalanches can scarcely be released.
Currently there are quite favourable conditions generally. Avalanches can still in isolated cases be released by large loads, but they will be small in most cases. This applies especially in extremely steep terrain at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Elsewhere, avalanches can scarcely be released.
Snowpack
dp.2: gliding snow 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. As a consequence of mild temperatures and rain up to high altitudes an unfavourable avalanche situation developed during the last two days. The snowpack is fairly homogeneous and its surface has a melt-freeze crust. Towards its base, the snowpack is moist. The snowpack is wet all the way through. On cut and grassy slopes numerous mostly small avalanches occurred naturally. Gliding avalanches can be released at any time of day or night. These weather conditions will prevent a substantial change towards better conditions.
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Since the early morning the wind has been strong adjacent to ridgelines over a wide area. The sometimes strong wind will transport the old snow. As the day progresses the previously small wind slabs will increase in size once again. As a consequence of a gathering storm force wind from northwesterly directions, large surface-area wind slabs will form since Monday especially adjacent to ridgelines as well as above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on wind-loaded slopes of all aspects above approximately 2200 m and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. The fresh wind slabs are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Over a wide area avalanche prone wind slabs will form. The sometimes large wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, especially on east to south to southwest facing aspects above the tree line. This applies in particular at their margins.
Since the early morning the wind has been strong adjacent to ridgelines over a wide area. The sometimes strong wind will transport the old snow. As the day progresses the previously small wind slabs will increase in size once again. As a consequence of a gathering storm force wind from northwesterly directions, large surface-area wind slabs will form since Monday especially adjacent to ridgelines as well as above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on wind-loaded slopes of all aspects above approximately 2200 m and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. The fresh wind slabs are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Over a wide area avalanche prone wind slabs will form. The sometimes large wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, especially on east to south to southwest facing aspects above the tree line. This applies in particular at their margins.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
As a consequence of the strong to storm force southerly foehn wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. They can be released easily especially at their margins. The wind slabs of the last two days are lying on surface hoar in some places in areas close to the tree line. In addition further wind slabs formed adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects and generally in the high Alpine regions. Reports filed by observers and stability tests confirm that the stability of the snowpack varies greatly within a small area on wind-loaded slopes.
