Caution: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering in places
Through fresh snow and wind, snowdrift accumulations have been generated which are prone to triggering. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude and occur particularly in steep shady terrain, but also behind protruberances in the landscape, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Avalanches can in places be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size. Activities in backcountry demand experience in assessing avalanche dangers and defensive conduct. In addition, weak layers in the old snow can be triggered, particularly on steep shady slopes above 2200m, in transitions from shallow to deep snow and in zones where the snow is shallow. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches is still difficult to assess. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow registered (10-20cm, locally more), deposited on a largely well consolidated old snowpack, then transported by initially SW winds, then northerly winds. The initially shallow snowpack accumulations are often prone to triggering. Esp. on shady slopes and in wind-protected zones at high altitudes, snowdrift will be deposited atop a loose snowpack surface, often atop breakable crusts, sometimes on crusts which can carry loads and on steep sunny slopes atop a melt-freeze crust.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will slowly recede.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
Fresh drifts prone to triggering in places
Through fresh snow and wind, snowdrift accumulations have been generated which are prone to triggering. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude and occur particularly in steep shady terrain, but also behind protruberances in the landscape, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Avalanches can in places be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size. Snowdrift accumulations need to be assess with great caution, particularly in steep terrain. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches is still difficult to assess. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow registered (10-20cm, locally more), deposited on a largely well consolidated old snowpack, then transported by initially SW winds, then northerly winds. The initially shallow snowpack accumulations are often prone to triggering. Esp. on shady slopes and in wind-protected zones at high altitudes, snowdrift will be deposited atop a loose snowpack surface, often atop breakable crusts, sometimes on crusts which can carry loads and on steep sunny slopes atop a melt-freeze crust.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will slowly recede.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Watch out for small snowdrift accumulations
Avalanche danger levels above the treeline are moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh, mostly small snowdrift accumulations are often prone to triggering with ascending altitude. Small avalanches can often be triggered by one sole skier. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, adequate consideration must be given to the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall. Backcountry tours necessitate a cautious route selection. Danger of small - in isolated cases, medium-sized - glide snow avalanches continues to be difficult to assess. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow registered (10-20cm, locally more), deposited on a largely well consolidated old snowpack, then transported by initially SW winds, then northerly winds. The initially shallow snowpack accumulations are often prone to triggering. Esp. on shady slopes and in wind-protected zones at high altitudes, snowdrift will be deposited atop a loose snowpack surface, often atop breakable crusts, sometimes on crusts which can carry loads and on steep sunny slopes atop a melt-freeze crust.
