Avalanche.report

Thursday 19 December 2024

Published 19 Dec 2024, 08:00:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Treeline


In localities where the snowfall level is higher the danger will increase earlier.

Snowpack

Tendency


Danger level


Avalanche Problem
Wind slab


Snowpack

Tendency


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wet snow
2400m


Persistent weak layer at high altitudes: caution!

Avalanche danger abover 2400m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main danger: persistent weak layer Slabs can be triggered even by one single skier, particularly on W/N/E facing slopes, in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Avalanches can reach medium size During the course of the day, small wet-snow slides can trigger naturally due to higher temperatures and solar radiation, particularly on south-facing slopes below 2400m and in extremely steep terrain (>40°). In addition, small glide-snow avalanches are possible in all aspects at any time of day or night. Small slabs in the snowdrifts are triggerable only in few places: near ridglines, on shady slopes from minimum additional loading.

Snowpack

In high alpine regions there are faceted layers inside the old snowpack which are often covered by hardened layers. In addition, there are still loose layers near the surface which are covered. At lower and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is moistened by higher temperatures, in places it is completely wet. Overnight a melt-freeze crust can form in these places which then softens up during the daytime. The snowpack currently evidences no marked weak layers. On grass-covered slopes and over rocky plates, the entire snowpack can start to glide.

Tendency

Increasing avalanche danger levels expected due to fresh snow and wind impact.


Danger level

2600m
Avalanche Problem
New snow
2600m


The old snowpack will be weakly bonded in particular on very steep slopes. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. The cold fresh snow of recent weeks and in particular the sometimes deep wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on wind-protected shady slopes above approximately 2600 m.

The snowpack remains weakly bonded in the north. Small to medium-sized avalanches are possible in particular on steep north, northeast and northwest facing slopes.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Weak layers near the ground can still be released by individual winter sport participants especially on wind-loaded slopes.

Tendency

The conditions remain mostly favourable.


Danger level



Snowpack

Tendency


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wet snow


Isolated small danger zones in old snowpack at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger is low. In some places, weak layers persist in the old snowpack which can be triggered on few, very steep high altitude slopes in N-E aspects. Mostly, high additional loading will be necessary and avalanches tend to remain small. Small wet loose sluffs can trigger naturally. Small glide snow avalanches can release on steep smooth grass-covered slopes.

Snowpack

At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is completely soaked, and at high altitudes superficially moist. During the night, a thin melt-freeze crust can form at the snowpack surface which softens again during the day. Where the snowpack borders the ground, it is often wet, in particular at intermediate altitudes; therefore it can start gliding over smooth ground. In the vicinity of thin rain crusts and melt-freeze crusts embedded in the snowpack at high altitudes there are layers consisting of faceted crystals; some of them are prone to triggering. Snow depths vary. Ridges and crests are blown bare; south-facing slopes are becoming increasingly bare. All in all, there is little snow.

Tendency

Due to snowfall and wind fresh snowdrifts will be generated on Friday; avalanche danger will increase.


Danger level


Avalanche Problem
Wet snow


Loose-snow slides during the daytime in extremely steep terrain

Avalanche danger is low. Due to higher temperatures and solar radiation, small loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep terrain (>40°). Also small glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night in all aspects.

Snowpack

Due to rising temperatures, the snowpack has receded and is moistened at surface level up to intermediate altitudes, or else utterly wet. Overnight a melt-freeze crust can form which will then soften up during the daytime. The snowpack evidences currently no marked weak layers. On grass-covered slopes or rocky plates the entire snowpack could begin to glide away. At high altitudes the near-surface loose-snow layers are often blanketed.

Tendency

Increasing avalanche danger levels (snowdrift problem) expected due to fresh snow and wind impact.