Avalanches can be triggered in the weak layers by one sole skier in some places, and grow to medium size. Danger zones occur mostly in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls, and on very steep shady slopes. Danger zones and likelihood of triggering tend to increase with ascending altitude. Isolated whumpf noises can indicate imminent danger. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small wet-slides are possible as a result of the daytime warming and solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The snowpack is highly diverse over small areas. Shady slopes above 2000m: inside the snowpack are faceted expansively metamorphosed weak layers. Very steep sunny slopes below 2600m: due to higher temperatures and solar radiation, a crust forms on the surface. Weather conditions are moistening the snowpack.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack demand caution
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Assess steep shady slopes with caution
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanches can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier. Avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack, particularly on steep north-facing slopes, and grow to medium size. In addition, some ridgeline locations can trigger near surface layers on wind-loaded slopes, releases mostly small. Small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Inside the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorphose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. Snowdrifts can form a slab on the surface above the faceted crystals. On shady slopes 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
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Gliding snow
2200m
Caution urged in steep shady terrain seldom skied on
In some places avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier, generate medium-sized releases, mostly above 2000m in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude. Activities in backcountry demand cautious route selection, particularly in shady steep terrain seldom skied on. In isolated cases small glide-snow avalanches are possible. Caution urged below glide cracks. Due to daytime warming and solar radiation, increasingly frequent loose-snow slides are possible, particularly on steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
The snowpack was able to settle and consolidate somewhat due to higher temperatures and solar radiation. Particularly on shady slopes in the uppermost part of the snowpack there are weak layers evident which can easily be triggered. Highly diverse snowpack surface are evident, there is still powder on shady wind-protected slopes, otherwise wind crusts. On steep sunny slopes a melt-freeze crust is evident. Encrusted snowpack surfaces moisten during the day.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will decrease further
Danger level
Avalanches hardly possible
Weak layers can trigger in transitions into gullies and bowls,esp. on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 2000m, releases small, generally triggerable only by large additional loading.
Snowpack
Very little snow on the ground. Below 1600 m hardly any snow on the ground. Shady slopes above 2000m: in lower part of snowpack faceted weak layers.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels expected
Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1500m
Gliding snow
2400m
Caution: mild persistent weak layer and gliding snow problem
Avalanche danger is low. Main problem: persistent weak layer in old snow. Small to medium-sized slab avalanches are possibly triggered mostly by large additional loading. The few danger zones occur in transitions from shallow to deeper snow in extremely steep terrain on W/N/E facing slopes. In addition, isolated naturally triggered generally small glide-snow avalanches are possible, esp. on smooth, steep grass-covered slopes in all aspects.
Snowpack
The snowpack has settled considerably and is largely stable. In shady higher altitude terrain, weak layers consisting of faceted crystals persist under melt-freeze crusts. On the sunny side a thin melt-freeze crust will form on the surface during the night and soften again during the course of the day. The snowpack base is partly wet at ground level, as a consequence the snowpack can start gliding over smooth ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will remain low.
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
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 fundament is weak (faceted crystals beneath crusts) but fracture propagation is unlikely (lacking slab). On shady slopes there is loose snow, on sunny slopes firn conditions are developing.
Tendency
Little change anticipated
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1700m
Danger spots are found only in some places
Low avalanche danger. Small slab avalanches can be triggered with high additional loads in some places. Danger spots are found in extreme steep terrain on the transition from little to high amounts of snow in the expositions west via north to east. Spontaneous gliding snow avalanches coming from steep slopes with smooth surfaces are also possible.
Snowpack
The snow cover could settle and is mostly stable. Only in shady slopes in higher altitudes an old snow layer which is weakened by kinetic metamorphosis is found. On sunny slopes surface hoar is formed during the night which will soften during the day. On shady areas the snow on top is often still loose and in exposed areas hard. The snow base is partially moist, gliding movements of the snow cover can’t be ruled out.
Tendency
Influence of a high pressure system, the avalanche danger is not significantly changing.
Danger level
Avalanche danger low, little snow.
Avalanche danger low. Only in some places in high, steep and shady gullies and bowls small avalanches within the old snow can be triggered with high additional loads. The surface of the snow cover is often hard. 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 predominately bare. The thin snow cover is solidified on the surface with hoar. Elsewhere it is wet even in high altitudes. In places in northern and eastern exposed high-altitudes areas thin layers of snowdrift, which is weakened due to kinetic metamorphosis (faceting).
Tendency
Influence of a high pressure system, the avalanche danger is not significantly changing.
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
The snowpack was able to settle and consolidate somewhat due to higher temperatures and solar radiation. Particularly on shady slopes in the uppermost part of the snowpack there are weak layers evident which can easily be triggered. During the course of the day, superficially melt-freeze encrusted layers are becoming moist on steep sunny slopes, often wind crusts. On steep sunny slopes a melt-freeze crust is evident. Encrusted snowpack surfaces moisten during the day.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
Isolated danger zones occur on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 1800m
Older snowdrift accumulations can be triggered on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 1800m in isolated cases. Isolated danger zones occur in gullies and bowls. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small moist loose-snow slides are possible.
Snowpack
Older 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
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1500m
Snowpack by and large stable.
Avalanche danger is low. Isolated weak layers persist in the old snowpack. Small slab avalanches can be triggered in particular by large additional loading. Avalanche prone locations occur at transitions from shallow to deep snow in extremely steep W/N/E-facing terrain.
Snowpack
The snowpack has settled considerably and is largely stable. Only on shady side slopes at higher altitudes are there still weak layers consisting of faceted crystals embedded in the middle part of the snowpack close to melt-freeze crusts. Where there is still snow on sunny slopes a nocturnal melt-freeze crust forms which will soften again during the course of the day. The snow on shady side slopes is powdery, in exposed locations wind-compacted. The snowpack base is partly moist, so gliding movements of the snowpack cannot be excluded.
