The older snowdrifts from the last few days now blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 1800m on W/N/SE facing slopes: easily triggered by one single skier. Gullies and bowls are unfavorable, since hard layers lie deposited atop weakly consolidated old snow. These danger zones occur rather seldom, and are easily recognized by practiced backcountry winter sports enthusiasts. Avalanches are usually small-sized. 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 above 1800m. The old snowpack is weak, with faceted crystals. Solar radiation and higher temperatures led to a gradual softening of the snowpack during the course of the day, particularly on sunny slopes below 2700m. These weather conditions reinforce a stabilizing of the snowdrift accumulations.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2200m
Evaluate freshly generated snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution. Caution: persistent weak layer.
The snowdrift accumulations of recent days can easily be triggered in all aspects above 2200m by one single skier. Danger zones occur particularly in gullies, bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape.
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.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The older snowdrifts from the last few days now blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 2200m on W/N/SE facing slopes. The various snowdrifts are often still poorly bonded with each other and with the old snowpack.
Inside the old snowpack there are expansively metamosphosed, faceted crystals, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes.
Solar radiation and higher temperatures led to a gradual softening of the snowpack during the course of the day, particularly on sunny slopes below 2700m. These weather conditions reinforce a stabilizing of the snowdrift accumulations.
The snowpack is highly irregular, even over small areas.
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
Persistent weak layer
1800m
There is little snow on the ground. Danger zones occur in gullies and bowls on shady slopes.
The older snowdrifts which have accumulated on shady slopes above 1800m over the last few days can be triggered mostly by large additional loading.
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
Above 1800m the snowdrift accumulations cover a weak old snowpack on shady slopes. The old snowpack is often expansively metamorphosed, with faceted crystals.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
