Avalanche danger above the timberline is CONSIDERABLE. Slab avalanches, small-to medium sized, can trigger in some steep places even by minimum additional loading on NW/E/S facing slopes both near to and distant from ridgelines, as well as in wind-loaded gullies. The danger of falling often outweighs that of being buried in snow masses. Above 2200m, isolated weak layers in the old snowpack can be triggered and avalanches can become correspondingly larger if they fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack. Isolated glide-snow avalanches and small wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.
Snowpack
Atop a below-average but compact and moistened snowpack in wind-protected zones, 20-25 cm of fresh snow was registered, widespread the snow fall amid heavy wind impact and generated new snowdrift accumulations which are initially poorly bonded with the old snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels to gradually decrease
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2200m
Fresh snowdrifts and persistent weak layer at high and high-alpine altitudes
Avalanche danger above 2200m is CONSIDERABLE. Slab avalanches can trigger by minimum additional loading both in fresh (Thursday night) and older (southerly foehn-induced on Wednesday and Thursday) snowdrift accumulations near to and distant from ridgelines. The slabs are mostly small, but if fractures go down to lower layers in the snowpack the releases can grow to medium size. Most danger zones are on N/E facing slopes, higher up also on south-facing slopes. Most critical are transitions from shallow to deeper snow and at entries into gullies filled with drifts.
Snowpack
The snowpack is highly varied and still with too little snow for this juncture of the season. Crests and ridges are often windblown, gullies and bowls filled to the brim with snow. Weak layers occur as faceted crystals atop crusts and near-surface (beneath fresh snow and drifts) as well is inside the old snow.
Tendency
Wintery temperatures preserving the danger zones, avalanche risks receding only slowly
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations
Avalanche danger above the timberline is MODERATE. Slab avalanches, mostly small, can trigger in some steep places even by minimum additional loading on NW/E/S facing slopes both near to and distant from ridgelines, as well as in wind-loaded gullies. The danger of falling often outweighs that of being buried in snow masses. Above 2200m, isolated weak layers in the old snowpack can be triggered and avalanches can become correspondingly larger if they fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack. Isolated glide-snow avalanches and small wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.
Snowpack
Atop a below-average but compact and moistened snowpack in wind-protected zones, 5-20 cm of fresh snow was registered. As of 2200m there are faceted crystals more deeply embedded inside the snowpack below melt-freeze crusts. The fresh snow fell amid wind impact, thus generated new snowdrift accumulations.
Tendency
Wintery temperatures: avalanche danger is receding only gradually
