Snowdrifts often still prone to triggering at high altitudes
In some places avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier, mostly medium-sized releases. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude, particularly on steep shady slopes, but also behind protruberances in the landscape. Activities in backcountry demand much experience in assessing dangers and defensive conduct. At lower altitudes, danger is moderate. In addition, on very steep grassy slopes, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.
Snowpack
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will decrease further
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Gliding snow
2400m
Main danger: weak layers in old snowpack
Avalanches can be triggered even by one sole skier, esp. on shady wind-protected slopes. Isolated danger zones occur also on sunny slopes which are little skied on in high alpine terrain, in isolated cases releases can grow to large size. Remote triggerings are possible, particularly treacherous are the foot of rock walls. A defensive route selection is important. In addition, on wind-loaded slopes, surface layers can be triggered in some places, the releases mostly small but easily triggered. In the major areas of precipitation, isolated and mostly small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Shady wind-protected slopes above 2400m: in the lower part of the old snowpack there are faceted expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident. On shady slopes where the snow is rather shallow above 1800m: fresh snow and drifts blanket a weak old snowpack. Shady slopes below 1800m: the fresh snow lies atop a hardened crust.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack still demand caution
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Gliding snow
Caution: snowdrifts and weak layers in old snowpack
Avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier in some places, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes in zones. Danger zones and likelihood of triggering tned to increase with ascending altitude. Avalanches can grow to medium size. In addition, in places avalanches can be triggered in the surface layers, releases usually small but easily triggerable. On extremely steep sunny slopes, increasingly frequent small moist loose-snow avalanches are possible. Isoalted mostly small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
There was local snowfall. The SW winds transported the fresh snow. On shady slopes above 1800m: snowdrift accumulations are often poorly bonded with the old snowpack. In the lower part of the snowpack there are faceted expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident. On shady slopes below 1800m: weather conditions are consolidating the snowpack during the nocturnal hours. The fresh snow lies deposited atop a hardened crust. Extremely steep sunny slopes: solar radiation moistening the snowpack as of midday.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack still demand caution
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Gliding snow
2200m
Caution in transitions from shallow to deeper snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will decrease further
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deeper snow
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Slabs can be triggered even by one sole skier on W/N/E facing slopes. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. Danger zones are nearly impossible to recognize in open terrain. Whumpf noises and cracks when you tread upon the snowpack, as well as fresh avalanche releases, are alarm signals and indicate imminent danger. In addition, snowdrift accumulations in the near-surface layers can be triggered in some places, releases mostly small. Naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Inside the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals, snowdrifts form the slab at surface level. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorhose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. On shady slopes there is still loose snow evident, on sunny slopes firn conditions are being generated.
Tendency
Persistent weak layer problem will gradually recede as snowpack settles
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Gliding snow
The old snow is in higher altitudes partially still prone to triggering
Moderate avalanche danger above 2.000 m below that low danger. 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 western to northeastern expositions. There small to medium sized slab avalanches are possible. Spontaneous gliding snow avalanches com from steep slopes wit smooth surfaces are also possible. Avoid areas below gliding cracks.
Snowpack
Tendency
On Sunday sunny mountain weather is called. The avalanche danger decreasing.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Danger zones hard to recognize.
Avalanche danger above 1900m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanches can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier. Above 2200m avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack, particularly on steep north-facing slopes. 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. Small naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Inside the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals, snowdrifts form the slab at surface level. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorhose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. On shady slopes the loose snow is still evident, on sunny slopes it is turning to firn.
Tendency
Persistent weak layer problem will gradually recede as snowpack settles
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
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, but triggerable only in isolated cases. Isolated danger zones occuron NW/N/NE facing slopes above 1800m. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small moist loose-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
Some snowfall was registered. The SW winds transported the fresh fallen snow. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations lie deposited on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 1800m atop soft layers. Below 1600m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
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. the thin ssnow cover is settled on the surface. otherwhere it is wet. In places in northern and eastern exposed high-altitudes areas thin layers of Driftsnow which is weakened due to equilibrium metamorphosis.
Tendency
On Sunday sunny mountain weather is called. No significant changes of the avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
No distinct avalanche problem
Only isolated danger zones
Avalanche danger is low. Triggering a small slab (most likely above 2000m on shady very steep slopes) is possible in a few places. In isolated cases a small glide-snow avalanche is possible.
Snowpack
The small amount of snow is quite compact and often capped by a hardened and icy crust atop of which a few cm of loose or wind-compacted snow lie deposited.
Tendency
Little change anticipated
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1400m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Avalanche danger is low. On very steep grass-covered slopes, mostly small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.
Snowpack
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
Very little snow on the ground
Avalanches hardly possible
Snowpack
Weather conditions are consolidating the snowpack. Very little snow on the ground.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels expected
