Snowdrifts often still prone to triggering at high altitudes
Fresh snow and fresh snowdrift accumulations are often triggerable by one sole skier and then possibly growing to medium size. Danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude, particularly on steep shady slopes, behind protruberances in the landscape and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Activities in backcountry demand experience in avalanche danger assessment. At lower altitudes, danger is moderate. Due to higher temperatures, loose-snow slides and increasingly frequent small glide-snow avalanches are possible on sunny slopes.
Snowpack
Intermittently strong-velocity winds at high altitude ridgeline terrain have generated to fresh snowdrift accumulations. The most recent bout of fresh snow and drifts is only poorly bonded with the soft snowpack surface on high-altitude shady steep slopes, often the snowdrifts have been blanketed by fresher snowfall. On sunny slopes the most recent snowfall is well bonded, the old snowpack beneath it is well consolidated. At lower altitudes the fresh snow often fell on bare ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will decrease further
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Wet snow
Spontaneous releases to be expected in the sun.
Avalanche danger above 2000 m is considerable; below that altitude it is moderate. Main problem: snowdrift accumulations which can be triggered as medium-sized slab avalanches even by minimal additional loading in many places. Avalanche prone locations are found on steep slopes adjacent to and distant from ridgelines in W/N/SE aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and size increase with ascending altitude. In extremely steep sun-exposed terrain small to medium-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Isolated medium-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground.
Snowpack
During Wednesday night, southerly and westerly winds will generate fresh snowdrift accumulations. Thin intermediate layers that are prone to triggering are embedded in both fresh and somewhat older snowdrift masses. Weak layers consisting of faceted crystals also exist at the transition from the fresh snow from Tuesday and old snowpack surface, partly also around melt-freeze crusts. Such weak layers vary depending on aspect and altitude. As a consequence of solar radiation and mild temperatures the snowpack surface is becoming moist and forfeits its firmness. In south-facing terrain at intermediate altitude the snow was deposited atop warm and partly wet ground which enables gliding movements of the snowpack.
Tendency
Snowdrifts will slowly become less of an issue; weak layers in the old snowpack will become more relevant.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Gliding snow
2400m
Main danger: weak layers in old snowpack
Avalanches can be treiggered even by one sole skier and grow to large size. Remote triggerings are possible, esp. on shady wind-protected slopes where there has been heavy snowfall. Particularly treacherous are the foot of rock walls. Whumphf noises can indicate imminent danger. Due to solar radiation, increasingly frequent small loose-snow avalanches can be expected. In addition, isolated mostly small glide-snow avalanches are possible in the major areas of precipitation.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Since Tuesday above 1800m, there has been 40-60cm of fresh snow, locally more. The strong-velocity winds have transported the fresh snow, wind-protected zones above 2400m: in the lower part of the snowpack are faceted expansively metamorphosed weak layer. Shady slopes where the snow is shallos above 1800m: fresh snow and drifts blanket a weak old snowpack. Shady slopes below 1800m: the fresh snow lies deposited atop a thoroughly wet old snowpack.
Tendency
Gradual decrease of avalanche danger
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Gliding snow
1600m
Fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations generated by southerly winds
Avalanche danger above 1600m is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanches can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier. Above the treeline avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack, particularly on north-facing slopes. Also naturally triggered avalanches and remote triggerings are possible. Whumpf noises and cracks when you tread upon the snowpack, as well as fresh avalanche releases, are alarm signals and indicate imminent danger. Naturally triggered glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches are possible, mostly small sized releases.
Snowpack
The loosely packed fresh fallen snow from Wednesday is being transported by intensifying southerly winds and deposited on north-facing slopes atop loose surfaces. Inside the old snowpack are weak layers of faceted crystals on very steep north-facing slopes above the timberline. On very steep grass-covered sloves the entire snowpack can glide away.
Tendency
Snowdrift problem will gradually decrease
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Southerly winds are generating fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations
Avalanche danger above the timberline is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Slab avalanches can in some places on NW/N/E facing slopes be triggered even by one sole skier. Danger zones occur esp. near ridgelines, behind protruberances in the landscape and in gullies and bowls. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. Danger zones are generally easily recognized. In isolated cases, avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack. Naturally triggered glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches are possible, the releases remain mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
The loosely packed fresh fallen snow from Wednesday is being transported by intensifying southerly winds and deposited on north-facing slopes atop loose surfaces. Inside the old snowpack are weak layers of faceted crystals on very steep north-facing slopes above the timberline.
Tendency
Snowdrift problem will decrease
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
Fresh snow and snowdrifts often still prone to triggering
Fresh snow and fresh snowdrift accumulations are often triggerable by large additional loading and then possibly growing to medium size. Danger zones occur particularly on steep shady slopes, behind protruberances in the landscape and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In isolated cases, slab avalanches can be triggered in extremely steep terrain in the old snow. At lower altitudes, loose-snow slides and on steep grass-covered slopes glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and drifts have been able to settle further. Especially on steep shaday slopes they are often poorly bonded with the soft layers of the old snowpack, and frequently the drifts have been blanketed by fresh snow. The old snowpack beneath it is well consolidated. At low altitudes the fresh snow fell on bare ground. On sunny slopes the fresh snow has already bonded well.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will decrease further
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Gliding snow
1600m
Fresh snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering
Avalanche danger above 1600m is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanches can in some places on NW/N/E facing slopes be triggered even by one sole skier. Danger zones occur esp. near ridgelines, behind protruberances in the landscape and in gullies and bowls. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. Danger zones are generally easily recognized. In isolated cases, avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack. Naturally triggered glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches are possible, the releases remain mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
Wherever snowdrifts accumulate they will be deposited atop loose fresh snowfall on shady slopes. Inside the old snowpack esp. on very steep north-facing slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals above the timberline. On very steep grass-covered slopes the entire snowpack can glide away.
Tendency
Snowdrift problem will decrease
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Gliding snow
2000m
Old snow in high altitudes and increasing gliding snow activities.
Moderate avalanche danger above 1.800 m. The main problem still a weak old snow cover underneath fresh snowdrift deposits. Danger spots are predominately in entries and peripheral areas of extremly steep gullies and bowls in the north to east expositions. Below 2.000 m spontaneous glidingsnow or gliding loose snow avalanches coming from extremly steep slopes are possible. Avoid areas below glide cracks.
Snowpack
he snowcover is moist ebven in high altitudes and partially wet till the ground. During the night surface hoar will form, exposed areas are icy and hard. Especially in northern and eastern expositions freash thin driftsnow deposits accumulated on top of a moist old snow cover which is weakened due to faceted snow.
Tendency
Friday lower temperatures due to a coldfront. dense clouds and and small amount of snowfall coming from the north. No significant changes of the avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
Spontaneous releases to be expected in the sun.
Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: snowdrift accumulations. In a few places the snowdrifts can be triggered as medium-sized slab avalanches even by minimal additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found in steep ridgeline terrain in W/N/SE aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In extremely steep sun-exposed terrain, small loose-snow avalanches can release naturally. Isolated small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground.
Snowpack
During Wednesday night, southerly and westerly winds will generate fresh limited scope snowdrift accumulations. Thin intermediate layers that are prone to triggering are embedded in both fresh and somewhat older snowdrift masses. Weak layers consisting of faceted crystals exist also in some places at the transition from the fresh snow from Tuesday and old snowpack surface, partly also around melt-freeze crusts. Such weak layers vary depending on aspect and altitude. As a consequence of solar radiation the snowpack surface is becoming moist and forfeits its firmness. In south-facing terrain at intermediate altitude the snow was deposited atop warm and partly wet ground which enables gliding movements of the snowpack.
Tendency
Snowdrifts will become less of an issue; weak layers in the old snowpack will become more relevant.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Caution: weak layers in old snowpack
Avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier in some pladces and, in isolated cases, grow to large size, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes in zones where snowfall has been heavy. Due to solar radiation, increasingly frequent mostly small-siozed loose-snow avalanches can be expected.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Since Tuesday above 1800m, there has been 30-40cm of fresh snow, locally more. The strong-velocity winds have transported the fresh snow, wind-protected zones above 2400m: in the lower part of the snowpack are faceted expansively metamorphosed weak layer. Shady slopes where the snow is shallos above 1800m: fresh snow and drifts blanket a weak old snowpack. Shady slopes below 1800m: the fresh snow lies deposited atop a thoroughly wet old snowpack.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Very little snow on the ground
Avalanches hardly possible
Snowpack
Rainfall led to the snowpack becoming massively wet in all aspected over widespread areas. There is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels expected
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Avalanche danger low, little snow.
Avalanche danger low. Only in some places spontaneous glidingsnow and wet loose snow avalanches coming from extremly steep slops are possible. Avoid areas below open gliding cracks. Risk of injuries is more likely than risks of falling or being buried.
Snowpack
In general the snow amount is below the average. Southern slopes and exposed areas are predominatels bare and the surfaces are icy and hard in the morning. Everywhere else the snowcover is even on summits moist and partially wet till the ground. In some places in northern to eastern high altitudes expositions frech thin snowdriftis layered on top of an old snow cover which is weakened due to kinetic metamorphosis.
Tendency
Friday lower temperatures due to a coldfront. dense clouds and and small amount of snowfall coming from the north. No significant changes of the avalanche danger.
Danger level
Isolated danger zones occur on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 1800m
Due to fresh snow and SW winds, small snowdrift accumulations have been generated in gullies and bowls. Isolated danger zones occuron NW/N/NE facing slopes above 1800m.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and snowdrifts lie atop a thoroughly wet old snowpack. Below 1600m, hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
