The small amount of fresh snow from yesterday and, particularly, the snowdrift accumulations deposited in gullies, bowls and behind protruberances in the terrain, can easily be triggered in all aspected above 2200m by one single skier.
Avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack on shady slopes in particular, and then grow to larger size. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude.
Whumpf noises and glide-cracks when the snowpack is tred upon are indicators of danger.
Small siozed loose-snow avalanches are possible on steep slopes and at the foot of rock cliffs due to solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
As a result of low temperatures and strong-to-stormy winds, fresh snowdrifts have accumulated over the last few days. These are often still poorly bonded with each other and with the old snowpack.
The freshly generated and somewhat older snowdrifts blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 2200m. Inside the old snowpack there are expansively metamosphosed, faceted crystals, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes.
The snowpack is highly irregular, even over small areas.
Tendency
Evaluate snowdrift accumulations with critical caution
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Evaluate snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution
Due to moderate to strong velocity winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated over the last few days, particularly on shady slopes above 1800m: easily triggered or triggering naturally. Gullies and bowls are unfavorable, since weak layers are evident inside the old snow.
Avalanches are sometimes medium-sized. Frequency and magnitude tend to increase with ascending altitude.
Apart from the risk of being buried in snow masses, you also need to take the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall into consideration.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Snowdrift accumulations cover a weak old snowpack surface on shady slopes and in general above 1800m. The old snowpack is weak, with faceted crystals. The snowpack is highly irregular even over small areas.
In all regions, at all altitudes, there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Evaluate freshly generated snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution.
Over the last few days, most shallow snowdrifts have accumulated in gullies and bowls. These can be triggered by large additional loading in isolated cases above 1800m, the releases will be small sized.
Avalanche releases will be small-sized. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and being forced to take a fall also require consideration.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Above 1800m the snowdrift accumulations cover a weak old snowpack on shady slopes. The old snowpack is often expansively metamorphosed, with faceted crystals. The snowpack is highly irregular even over small areas.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
