Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. The main problem is freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can trigger a small, and in isolated cases also a medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum addiitional loading. Danger zones for slab avalanches occur particularly in NW/N/SE facing slopes and in steep ridgeline terrain. Above 2400m an avalanche which is unleashed on the surface can fracture down to deeper layers inside the old snowpack In very steep, unstructured terrain below 2200m, isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches can unleash. Avoid all terrain below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and snowdrifts blanket an unfavourable snowbase of surface hoar and faceted layers particularly on shady, wind-protected slopes. At high and high-alpine altitudes there are also snowdrifts which were generated recently by southerly foehn winds as well as by W/NW winds which are prone to triggering. The old snowpack fundament on shady, high altitude slopes is weakened by layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed highly irregularly, ridges are often windblown, and the fresh snow does not cover the ground sufficiently. On very steep grassy slopes the snowpack can glide over the smooth ground.
Tendency
On Monday, the proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will gradually decrease.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1400m
Wet snow
1500m
Fresh snowdrifts highly prone to triggering
Avalanche danger above 1400m is CONSIDERABLE. The main problem is freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can trigger a small, and in isolated cases also a medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum addiitional loading. Danger zones for slab avalanches occur particularly on N/SE facing slopes and in steep ridgeline terrain. In case of rainfall, naturally triggered small wet loose-snow avalanches are possible in extremely steep terrain. And in very steep, unstructured terrain, e.g. grassy slopes, also naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and snowdrifts (with graupel) blanket an unfavourable surface hoar, cover the snowdrifts above the treeline which were generated by W/NW stormy winds on the weekend. The snow is distributed highly irregularly, ridges are often windblown, and the fresh snow does not cover the ground sufficiently. At low and intermediate altitudes the rain impact on Monday morning will weaken the snow quality. On very steep grassy slopes the snowpack can glide over the smooth ground.
Tendency
On Monday, the proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will gradually decrease.
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.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Avalanche danger in generally low, but isolated danger zones occur due to freshly generated snowdrift accumulations.
Avalanche danger is low. Danger zones due to fresh snowdrifts occur above the treeline on N/S facing slopes behind protruberances in the landscape and in steep gullies and bowls. These canb be trigger a small slab avalanche in isolated cases even by minimum additional loading.
Snowpack
The small amount of fresh fallen snow and fresh snowdrifts often blanket surface hoar or else faceted old snow and can be prone to triggering. The snow base is often quite shallow and in isolated cases is weakened by faceted layers on shady high-alpine slopes.
