There is little snow on the ground. Danger zones in gullies and bowls.
The hardened snowdrifts which have accumulated on shady slopes above 1800m over the last few days can be triggered in isolated cases mostly by large additional loading. Avalanche releases will be small-sized.
Snowpack
The hardened snowdrifts from the last few days now blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 1800m on shady slopes. The old snowpack is faceted. 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
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Evaluate with caution: persistent weak layer.
The snowdrift accumulations of recent days can be triggered generally by large additional loading on steep W/N/SE facing slopes above 2400m, by one single skier only in isolated cases. 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 medium size. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. On extremely steep sunny slopes, isolated generally small-sized loose-snow avalanches can be expected due to daytime warming and solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The hardened snowdrifts from the last few days now blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 2400m 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. During the night a melt-freeze crust forms on the surface 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
Caution: persistent weak layer
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. During the night a melt-freeze crust forms on the surface.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
