In high alpine regions avalanches can fracture in the old snowpack
Avalanche danger above the treeline is CONSIDERABLE. The major problem: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can trigger a medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum addtional loading. Danger zones occur both near to and far from ridgelines behind protruberancees in the landscape and in steep gullies and bowls, particularly in NW/N/SE facing slopes. Above 2400m, avalanches fracturing from the surface layer can fracture deeper and grow to large size in isolated cases. In very steep and unstructured terrain below 2200m, isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible. Avoid terrain below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes, are being deposited atop surface hoar. At high and high alpine altitudes, snowdrifted masses are being blanketed by southerly foehn winds as well as W/NW winds and are prone to triggering. Beneath these drifts the snow from September and November constitutes the snowpack base which above 2400m often is weakened by layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed highly irregularly, ridges are often utterly windblown, and the fresh fallen snow does not cover the ground everywhere sufficiently. On very steep grassy slopes the snowpack tends to glide over the smooth ground.
Tendency
On Monday, no significant change is expected. Fresh snowdrifts remain the biggest danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2400m
In high alpine regions avalanches can fracture in the old snowpack
Avalanche danger above the treeline is CONSIDERABLE. The major problem: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can trigger a medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum addtional loading. Danger zones occur both near to and far from ridgelines behind protruberancees in the landscape and in steep gullies and bowls, particularly in NW/N/SE facing slopes. Above 2400m, avalanches fracturing from the surface layer can fracture deeper and grow to large size in isolated cases. In very steep and unstructured terrain below 2200m, isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible. Avoid terrain below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes, are being deposited atop surface hoar. At high and high alpine altitudes, snowdrifted masses are being blanketed by southerly foehn winds as well as W/NW winds and are prone to triggering. Beneath these drifts the snow from September and November constitutes the snowpack base which above 2400m often is weakened by layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed highly irregularly, ridges are often utterly windblown, and the fresh fallen snow does not cover the ground everywhere sufficiently. On very steep grassy slopes the snowpack tends to glide over the smooth ground.
Tendency
On Monday, no significant change is expected. Fresh snowdrifts remain the biggest danger.
