Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, danger is low below that altitude. Fresh and older snowdrifts can trigger a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche by minimum additional loading in some places. They are blanketed by just a bit of fresh snow, making them hard to recognize. Danger zones occur in all aspects and are often difficult to recognize. In addition, small moist loose-snbow avalanches can trigger in extremely steep rocky terrain.
Snowpack
A few centimetres of powder snow blanket the snowdrifted masses from the last few days. These drifts lie at 1800-2100m atop a melt-freeze crust which formed last Friday, under which a trigger-sensitve layer of faceted crystals has formed in some places. In addition, inside the old snowdrifted masses there are often weak intermediate layers. The old snowpack fundament is highly diverse in thickness, in exposed zones it is often lacking completely. At intermediate altitudes the fundament is often moist. On the surface at intermediate altitudes, a thin melt-freeze crust will form at night on sunny slopes, then be melted again once the sunshine strikees it tomorrow.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are expected to slowly recede.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wind slab
2400m
On shady slopes isolated danger zones due to weak layers in old snow. Evaluate fresh snowdrifts with caution.
Avalanche danger as of 2400m is moderate, danger is low below that altitude. On shady slopes at high and high-alpine altitudes, small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggered in the old snow. In addition, small, fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated near ridgelines during the course of the day. Danger zones occur mostly in transitions from shallow to deep snow, e.g. at the edge of gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape. Danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. The weight of one persons is sufficient to trigger a slab in steep terrain.
Snowpack
At high and high alpine altitudes, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations have been deposited on the surfaces atop loosely-packed layers of older snow or atop surface hoar, both of which are prone to triggering. Beneath these layers, the snow which has persisted since September and November as fundament is weakened by layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed highly irregularly: ridges are often totally windblown, but elsewhere the fresh fallen snow also doesn’t cover the base.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowpack
Over a wide area 50 cm of snow, and up to 70 cm in some localities, will fall until the early morning above approximately 1800 m. The new snow can be released easily or naturally in all aspects above the tree line. Snow profiles and stability tests have confirmed the distinct danger. The covering of new snow is soft. Distinct weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack are difficult to recognise. The new snow will be deposited on surface hoar in areas close to the tree line. Above the tree line: Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak. Over a wide area new snow is lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. Avalanches can be released in deeper layers very easily.
