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 treiggered 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
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Gliding snow
2200m
On shady slopes isolated danger zones due to weak layers in old snow.
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 treiggered in the old snow. Slab avalanches can be triggered in steep terrain particularly by large additional loading. On extremely steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Zones beneath glide cracks should be circumvented.
Snowpack
Older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop soft layers at high and high alpine altitudes, beneath which are often layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed irregularly, ridges are often totally windblown, and the fresh fallen snow does not cover the snow base sufficiently everywhere. The entire snowpack could start to glide over smooth ground.
Tendency
The snow cover is settling to an increasing degree, avalanche danger is slowly receding. Gliding snow activity will persist.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2200m
Avalanche danger is low, isolated small-sized glide-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is low. In isolated cases on very steep slopes, small-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger on smooth ground.
Snowpack
The snow cover is settling to an increasing degree. It is not yet sufficiently thick for activities in outlying terrain. Over smooth ground, the entire snowpack can start to glide.
