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
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Isolated danger zones occur on steep shady ridgeline slopes
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. 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 where they lie deposited atop a weak fundament, esp. on very steep shady slopes. Avalanches can grow to medium size if they fracture to more deeply embedded layers. Naturally triggered, mostly small glide-snow avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow (10-20cm) will be transported by northerly winds. On shady slopes above 1800-2000m snowdrifts will accumulate atop an often loosely-packed surface. In places the surface hoar will be blanketed. Inside the old snowpack there are weak layers on very steep shady slopes: on the one hand the snow has expansively metamorphosed, particularly near ground level where the snow is shallow; on the other, below near-surface melt-freeze crusts, faceted crystals have formed. On shady wind-protected slopes there is still loose, dry snow to be found.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will recede as the precipitation tapers off
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Main danger: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations. Weak layers in old snow can trigger in isolated cases.
Due to fresh snow and moderate northerly winds, often trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations are being generated in ridgeline terrain, gullies and bowls as well as in general above 1800m. These drifts can be triggered in many cases by one sole skier, the releases will be small. In addition, isolated avalanches can trigger in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes above 2200m. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls. Avalanches can in isolated cases grow to medium size. Attention must be given to the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Up to 15cm of fresh snow is anticipated regionally, locally more. With moderate northerly winds, fresh drifts will accumulate. The fresh snowdrift accumulations will be deposited atop unfavorable layers. Inside the snowpack are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers, particularly on W/N/E facing slopes.
Tendency
Fresh snowdrifts need to be cautiously assessed. Pay attention to weak layers in old snowpack.
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.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will slowly recede.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Main danger: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations
Due to fresh snow and moderate northerly winds, often trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations are being generated in ridgeline terrain, gullies and bowls as well as in general above 1800m. These drifts can be triggered in many cases by one sole skier, the releases will be small. Attention must be given to the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Esp. along the Italian and Slovenian borders, up to 25cm of fresh snow, locally more, in most areas up to 15cm is expected. Moderate northerly winds will generate fresh snowdrift accumulations, these will be deposited atop unfavorable layers. Inside the snowpack, particularly on shady slopes, are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers.
Tendency
Assess snowdrifts with caution
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Freshly generated snowdrifts prone to triggering
Avalanche danger above 1800m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can in some places be triggered by one sole skier. Avalanches tend to be small-sized. Wherever there is more than 20cm of fresh snow, avalanches can reach medium-size. On very steep shady slopes, weak layers can fracture and be swept along. On extremely steep slopes, small loose-snow avalanches can be expected. Isolated small naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow (10-20cm) will be transported by northerly winds. On shady slopes above 1800-2000m snowdrifts will accumulate atop an often loosely-packed surface. In places the surface hoar will be blanketed. Inside the old snowpack there are weak layers on very steep shady slopes: on the one hand the snow has expansively metamorphosed, particularly near ground level where the snow is shallow; on the other, below near-surface melt-freeze crusts, faceted crystals have formed. On shady wind-protected slopes there is still loose, dry snow to be found.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will recede as the precipitation tapers off
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2000m
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
Only isolated, small-area danger zones on very steep wind-loaded shady slopes
Avalanche danger is low. Triggering a small slab is possible in only few places, most endangered are shady slopes in very steep terrain above 2000m. In isolated cases a small glide-snow avalanche is possible.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow (10-20cm) will be transported by northerly winds. On shady slopes above 1800-2000m snowdrifts will accumulate atop an often loosely-packed surface. In places the surface hoar will be blanketed. Inside the old snowpack there are weak layers on very steep shady slopes: on the one hand the snow has expansively metamorphosed, particularly near ground level where the snow is shallow; on the other, below near-surface melt-freeze crusts, faceted crystals have formed. On shady wind-protected slopes there is still loose, dry snow to be found.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will recede as the precipitation tapers off
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Snowpack
Tendency
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.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will remain low.
Danger level
Fresh snowdriftrs. Isolated danger zones in gullies and bowls.
Fresh snowdrift accumulations are mostly small, triggerable only in isolated cases, esp. on wind-protected shady slopes at high altitude. Caution urged in transitions into gullies and bowls. These danger zones occur selcom. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, adequate consideration must be given to the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall.
Snowpack
Up to 10cm of fresh snow is expected regionally, locally more. Due to moderate northerly winds, mostly small snowdrift accumulations will be generated. Inside the snowpack, esp. on shady slopes, are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers.
Tendency
Pay attention to fresh snowdrifts
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Little amount of snowdrift!
Still low avalanche danger. New danger spots are forming due to northwesterly winds. Danger spots are found in some places in high altitudes in the expositions north to east. There slab avalanches could be triggered in extremly steep slopes by high additional loads.
Snowpack
The new snow is covering an old snow cover which weakened due to kinetic metamorphosis in high altitudes it is on top of a hard old snow cover. In shady slopes the snow base is weakened due to kinetic metamorphosis. Little snow in medium and low altitudes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger is not significantly changing.
