Assess fresh snowdrifts at high altitude with caution!
Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts are the main problem. Isolated medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered even by minor additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found on steep northwest to north to southeast facing slopes adjacent to ridgelines as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and size increase with ascending altitude. Small glide-snow avalanches can also trigger naturally on very steep intermediate altitude slopes with smooth ground, in all places with sufficient snow.
Snowpack
Up to 25 centimeters of new fallen snow will be transported by westerly and northerly winds. Snowdrift accumulations can contain intermediate layers that are prone to triggering. At intermediate altitude the new snow has bonded well with the moist old snowpack surface. Up to approx. 2000m the snow base is thoroughly moist and often wet at the ground. At high altitude a layer consisting of faceted crystals persists at the old snowpack surface on the shady side which can constitute a weak layer for slab avalanches. Up to the timberline in south aspects the new fallen snow is mainly deposited on bare ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will recede slowly.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Gliding snow
2000m
Assess fresh snowdrifts at high altitude cautiously.
Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts can be problematic. In particular at high altitudes, isolated fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small slab avalanches by minimum additional loading. Danger zones are located in very steep north- and east-facing terrain. The risks of taking a fall outweigh those of being buried in snow masses. Small glide-snow avalanches can in addition trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground, in all places with sufficient snow.
Snowpack
Up to 15 centimeters of new fallen snow will be impacted by moderate westerly and northerly winds. The new snow has bonded well with the moist old snowpack surface. Most of the time the snow base is completely soaked and frequently wet at the ground. At intermediate altitudes small snowdrifts will accumulate. However, these are not likely to trigger. At high altitude a layer consisting of faceted crystals persists at the old snowpack surface on the shady side which can constitute a weak layer for small slab avalanches. Up to the timberline in south aspects the small quantities of new fallen snow are mainly deposited on bare ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will remain low.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Gliding snow
Up to 15cm fresh snow in total.
Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts can be problematic. In steep east-facing ridgeline terrain isolated small snowdrift accumulations can be triggered even by minimum additional loading. The risks of being swept along outweigh those of being buried in snow masses. Small glide snow avalanches can in addition trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground, in all places with sufficient snow.
Snowpack
Up to 15 centimeters of new fallen snow will be impacted by moderate westerly and northerly winds. The new snow has bonded and will bond well with the moist old snowpack surface. Most of the time the snow base is completely soaked and frequently wet at the ground. Small snowdrifts accumulating at high altitude. Snowdrift accumulations can contain intermediate layers that are prone to triggering. Up to the timberline in south aspects the small quantities of new fallen snow are mainly deposited on bare ground.
