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
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
With increasing altitude, snowdrifts demand caution
At higher altitudes the freshly-generated and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering in some places, easily triggered as small-sized, in isolated cases as medium sized slab avalanches. Danger zones occur behind protruberances in the landscape, in gullies and bowls, and on freshly wind-loaded slopes. Magnitude and spread tend to increase with ascending altitude. Avalanche headquarters currently has little data from outlying regions about the snowpack, for that reason a cautious on-site evaluation is important. Below the treeline, avalanche danger is low. Isolated danger zone for small triggerings (slides) are possible in steep terrain. The risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall need to be considered.
Snowpack
The latest round of fresh snowfall was deposited atop a well consolidated old snowpack surface showing marked effect from the wind. Knolls and ridges are often totally windblown or have only a bit of fresh snow, gullies and bowls have noticeably more snow. With increasing altitude, particularly in pass and ridgeline areas, mostly small-to-medium snowdrift accumulations are evident. They are only moderate well bonded to the old snowpack surface, making them often prone to triggering.
Tendency
Currently, no significant change is expected.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
On wind-loaded slopes avalanches can fracture in ground-level layers
Weak layers in the old snow can be triggered particularly on wind-loaded slopes by one single winter sports enthusiast. The somewhat older snowdrift accumulations are easily recognized for the practiced tourers. Danger zones tend to increase in high alpine regions. Avalanches can be medium sized in isolated cases.
Avalanche headquarters have little information from high alpine regions. For that reason, the situation must be cautiously evaluated on-site. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall need to be taken into consideration.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The somewhat older snowdrift accumulations now blanket a weak old snowpack above 2200m. The upper layers of the snowpack are soft; the lower layers are faceted.
At all altitudes there is still little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season. The snowpack is highly irregular, even over small areas.
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
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Avalanche danger in general low, small loose snow avalanche are to expect!
The Avalanche danger is in general low, but sun light and warming during the day will lead to destabilization of the small new snow layer. Spontaneous loose snow avalanches especially from sunny slopes and extremely steep slopes, gliding snow avalanches on grassy areas are to expect.
Snowpack
The new snow from the weekend has settled without significant weak layers. In high shady slopes the snow base is formed of faceted snow which could be a weak layer in some areas. The surface layer will be moistened due to sunlight and warming especially on southern parts. On smooth grassy slopes the bottom layer could start gliding.
Tendency
The avalanche danger stays low.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Avalanche danger ind general low, small loose-snow avalanches are to expect!
The Avalanche danger is in general low, but sun light and warming during the day will lead to destabilization of the small new snow layer. Spontaneous loose snow avalanches are expected especially from sunny slopes and extremely steep slopes.
Snowpack
South of the Alps the amount of loose snow is low without significant weak layers. In higher shady slopes the snow base is built of faceted snow. The surface layer is built by loose new snow which will be moistened and unstable due to sunlight and warming especially on southern parts.
Tendency
The avalanche danger stays low.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Gliding snow
2000m
Snowdrifts often lie deposited on weak old snow.
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
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.
Tendency
Danger expected to remain constant
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Avalanche danger is low.
Avalanche danger is low, in isolated cases small drifts can trigger small sized slab avalanches by minimum addtional loading, e.g. the weight of one single skier. Also in steep, sunny, rocky terrain, small-sized moist loose-snow avalanches can unleash.
Snowpack
A few centimetres of loosely-packed powder snow now blanket a diversely thick but stable old snowpack. The fundament is often moist. On sunny slopes the surface snow is moistening and will form at night a thin melt-freeze crust which will melt again tomrrow as the sun hits it.
Tendency
Little change in avalanche danger levels is anticipated.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Caution urged towards small-sized snowdrifts
Above the treeline, fresh, mostly small snowdrift accumulations require caution. Isolated danger zones for small avalanche triggerings (slides) in steep terrain and freshly wind-loaded slopes are possible. Avalanche headquarters currently has little data from outlying regions about the snowpack, for that reason a cautious on-site evaluation is important. Below the treeline, no marked avalanche problem is evident.
Snowpack
The latest round of fresh snowfall was deposited atop a well consolidated old snowpack surface showing marked effect from the wind. Knolls and ridges are often totally windblown or have only a bit of fresh snow, gullies and bowls have noticeably more snow. With increasing altitude, particularly in pass and ridgeline areas, mostly small-to-medium snowdrift accumulations are evident.
