Caution: weak layers in old snowpack ca trigger in isolated cases
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, a on very steep shady slopes above 1900m. Attention must be given to the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The snowpack is highly diverse over small areas. Below 1600m there is little snow on the ground. Shady slopes: the uppermost part of the snowpack is expansively metamorphosed, there is surface hoar and also faceted crystals. In the lower part of the snowpack there are faceted expansively metamorphosed crystals evident. Sunny slopes: snowpack largely stable, with a crust on the surface.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack demand caution
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Assess snowdrift accumulations and steep shady slopes with caution
Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier, esp. in steep ridgeline terrain, also on slopes behind protruberances in the landscape which are distant from ridgelines. Avalanches can grow to medium size if they fracture to more deeply embedded layers. Trigger points lie esp. in transitions from shallow to deeper snow or in the opposite direction, esp, on very steep north-facing slopes. Naturally triggered small glide-snow avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
Southerly foehn winds generated shallow snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes which atop the loose, faceted old snowpack surface are prone to triggering. 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.
Tendency
No change expected
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2000m
Caution urged in steep shady terrain seldom skied on and towards fresh snowdrifts
In some places avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier, generate small-to-medium sized releases, mostly above 2200m 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. Freshly generated snowdrift accumjlations are prone to triggering, require attentiveness in steep terrain. In isolated cases small glide-snow avalanches are still possible. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
The snowpack is well consolidated up to high altitudes. Particularly on shady slopes there are weak layers evident which can easily be triggered. Snowpack surfaces are often powdery on shady, wind-protected slopes. Elsewhere there are wind crusts and a melt-freeze crust evident. Elsewhere a wind crust is evident which is often capable of bearing loads, on sunny slopes there is a melt-crust. Small snowdrift accumulations are evident. During the course of the day, the superficially encrusted snowpack will moisten on steep sunny slopes.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Assess snowdrift accumulations on steep shady slopes with caution
Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier, esp. in steep ridgeline terrain, also on slopes behind protruberances in the landscape which are distant from ridgelines. Avalanches can grow to medium size if they fracture to more deeply embedded layers. Trigger points lie esp. in transitions from shallow to deeper snow or in the opposite direction, esp, on very steep north-facing slopes. Naturally triggered small glide-snow avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
Southerly foehn winds generated shallow snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes which are prone to triggering atop the loose, faceted old snowpack surface. 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.
Tendency
No change expected
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
No significant changes: Avalanche danger low, little snow in general.
Avalanche danger is in general low. Only in some places in high, extremly 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 and icy. Risk of injuries is more likely than risks of falling or being buried.
Snowpack
The snow amounts are in general below the average. Southern slopes and exposed areas are predominately bare. The thin snow cover is solidified on the surface with hoar or frozen. In places in northern and eastern exposed high-altitude areas thin layers of snowdrift on top of an old snow cover which is weakened due to kinetic metamorphosis (faceting).
Tendency
The Avalanche danger is not significantly changing.
Danger level
Avalanches hardly possible, danger zones occur seldom.
Weak layers can trigger in transitions into gullies and bowls in very isolated cases, releases small, particularly on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 2000m, generally triggerable only by large additional loading. Attention must be given to the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall.
Snowpack
Very little snow on the ground. Below 1600 m hardly any snow o the ground. Shady slopes above 2000m: in lower part of snowpack faceted weak layers. The snowpack is largely stable, with a crust on the surface.
Tendency
No significant change i avalanche danger levels expected
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
2000m
Favorable conditions, but fresh snowdrifts over small areas
Avalanche danger is low. Isolated triggerings possible on extremely steep slopes. At high altitudes, small freshly generated snowdrift accumulations require attentiveness, they are frequently prone to triggering. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall need due consideration. On very steep grass-covered slopes, small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.
Snowpack
The snowpack is well consolidated up to high altitudes. Particularly on shady slopes there are weak layers evident which can easily be triggered. Snowpack surfaces are often powdery on shady, wind-protected slopes. Elsewhere there are wind crusts and a melt-freeze crust evident. Elsewhere a wind crust is evident which is often capable of bearing loads, on sunny slopes there is a melt-crust. Small snowdrift accumulations are evident. During the course of the day, the superficially encrusted snowpack will moisten on steep sunny slopes.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1700m
Weak expression of persistent weak layers and gliding snow problems.
Low avalanche danger. Small slab avalanches can be triggered with high additional loads in some places in higher altitudes. 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 cannot be ruled out.
Snowpack
The snow cover and is predominantly 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 and wind pressed. The snow base is partially moist, gliding movements of the snow cover can not be ruled out. In medium and low altitudes only little amount of snow is found.
Tendency
The Avalanche danger is not significantly changing.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Danger of falls on hardened snowpack surfaces
Avalanche danger is low. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be problematic. Slab avalanches can be triggered in particular by large additional loading in transitions from shallow to deeper snow. Avalanche prone locations occur particularly in extremely steep shady terrain at high altitudes, releases mostly small.
Snowpack
The snowpack is largely stable. On sunny slopes a melt-freeze crust forms at night, then softens during the daytime at intermediate altitudes, remains hard at high altitudes. On shady slopes the snow on the surface is loose, often faceted. Wherever the snow has been transported, shallow trigger-sensitive snowdrifts have accumulated. Inside the snowpack at high altitudes there are faceted crystals near melt-freeze crusts, triggerable only in isolated cases. The fundament is often moist.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
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, at lower altitudes where foehn impact) 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. On sunny slopes the layering is stable, gliding snow masses are being observed only seldom.
