Weak layers in old snowpack demand caution. Loose-snow avalanches in case of extended bright intervals.
Avalanches are triggerable by persons in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facng slopes above 1900m, releases generally medium-sized. Danger zones are diffidult to recognize. Isolated whumpf noises are a warning. On extremely steep S/SW/W facing slopes, increasingly frequent mostly small loose-snow avalanches are possible, esp. in afternoon in case of extended bright intervals. Pay attention to the runout zones. Isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Since Wednesday 30-50 cm of fresh snow has been registered above 1400m. By afternoon, another 5-10cm is anticipated, locally more. Freshsnow and drifts lie deposited on W/N/E facing slopes above 1900m atop an unfavorable old snowpack. South-facing slopes and terrain below 1900m: at a crust.
Tendency
Naturally triggered avalanche activity will increase significantly due to higher temperatures and solar radiation
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
New snow
Avalanche danger is at the upper point of Danger Level 2 (Moderate). Loose-snow avalanches possible during extended bright intervals.
Avalanches are triggerable by persons in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facng slopes above 1900m, releases generally medium-sized. Danger zones are diffidult to recognize. Isolated whumpf noises are a warning. On extremely steep S/SW/W facing slopes, increasingly frequent mostly small loose-snow avalanches are possible, esp. in afternoon in case of extended bright intervals. Pay attention to t runout zones. Isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Since Wednesday above 1400m: 30-50 cm of fresh snow, by afternoon another 5-10 cm is expected above 1600m, locally more. Fresh snow and drifts lie deposited on W/N/E facing slopes above 1900m atop an unfavorable old snowpack. South-facing slopes an terrain below 1900m: atop a crust.
Tendency
Naturally triggered avalanche activity will increase significantly due t higher temperatures and solar radiation
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Moderate avalanche danger in high altitudes - snowdrift is prone to triggering
Avalanche danger above 1.800 m is moderate. Danger spots are located in very steep entries, gullies and behind ridgelines in the expositions north to east. There slab avalanches can be triggered by small additional loads cannot be ruled out.
Snowpack
The snow base can settle and is mostly stable. Only in high altitudes the surface is still powder-like in some places. The new snowdrift is partially placed on top of soft layers, partially on top of a hard, icy old snow cover and is not sufficiently bonding. In general the snow cover is distributed unevenly and wet in medium altitudes. Blown-off areas are often hard and icy.
Tendency
The snowdrift danger and the avalanche danger are decreasing.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Caution on shady slopes: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. The few danger zones occur esp. in very shady gullies and bowls distant from ridgelines on NW/N/E facing slopes. Avalanches in the old snow above 2200m are isolated, possible only in extremely steep terrain on north-facing slopes. In isolated cases small to medium sized glide-snow avalanches are possible, triggerable by minimum additional loading. During the course of the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected in all aspects, releases will be generally small-sized.
Snowpack
Steep shady slopes above 2000m: up to 20-40 cm of fresh snow lies deposited on a metamorphosed surface. In transitions from old to fresh fallen snow and inside the snowdrift accumulations, weak layers can be generated. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes, the bonding of fresh fallen snow to the old snowpack is generally good, weak layers are found only inside the newly generated drifts. Weak layers in the lowermost part of the snowpack are no longer likely to trigger.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, likelihood of triggering will recede
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Assess snowdrifts at high altitude prudently.
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. In some patches snowdrifts can be problematic and can even be triggered by minimum additional loading as small to medium-sized slabs. Avalanche prone locations are found in steep ridgeline terrain in NW/N/E aspects. Snowdrift accumulations are difficult to detect, since they are covered by a few centimeters of loose new fallen snow. In addition, isolated small spontaneous releases of glide-snow avalanches can occur on very steep slopes with smooth ground.
Snowpack
At high altitudes the new fallen snow and snowdrifts of the last few days were deposited atop dry soft layers on the shady side. On the sunny side the bonding with the encrusted old snowpack surface is good. However, up beyond the timberline there is no old snow base. The old snowpack as such is stable, at intermediate altitude thoroughly moist and occasionally wet down to the ground.
Tendency
As of Sunday there will be a slow transition to spring-like conditions due to daytime warming.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution: snowdrifts in gullies and bowls. Caution: weak layers in old snowpack.
With increasingly strong winds from varying directions, often trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will be generated on shady slopes. These can be triggered by one sole skier above 2200m. Avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack on shady wind-protected slopes and then grow to medium size. In addition, isolated avalanches can be triggered in the weak old snowpack be persons, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow in regions where strong winds are blowing. Isolated whumpf noises are indicators of imminent danger. Particularly on extremely steep S/SW/W facing slopes, mostly small loose-snow avalanches are possible, esp. in the afternoon hours if there are extended bright intervals. Pay attention to the runout zones.
Avalanches can be triggered by persons and reach medium As snowfall intensifies, likelihood of slab avalanches above 2200m rising significantl, esp. on ridgeline W/N/E facing slopes where snow is heavy, triggerable by persons. Where snwofall is heaviest natural triggerings possible. Danger zones difficult to recognize. Isolated whump noises are warning. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deeper snow in the regions where it is windy. Danger zones are difficult to recognize. Isolated whumpf noises can indicate imminent danger. On extremely steep S/SW/W facing slopes, increasingly frequent mostly small loose-snow avalanches are possible, esp. in afternoon in case of extended bright intervals. Pay attention to the runout zones.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Since Wednesday 5-15 cm has been registered, locally more. Fresh snow and drifts lie deposited on W/N/E facing slopes above 2200m atop an unfavorable old snowpack. The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed, with a loose surface of surface hoar and faceted crystals. South-facing slopes and terrain below 2000m: atop a crust.
Tendency
Naturally triggered avalanche activity will increase significantly due to higher temperatures a solar radiation
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Generally favorable conditions, isolated danger zones due to snowdrift accumulations
Avalanche danger is low. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are triggerable as small avalanches even from one sole skier. The few danger zones occur near ridgeline, esp. in steep shady terrain. They are often blanketed with fresh snow, making them hard to recognize. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall demand adequate consideration.
Snowpack
On steep shady slopes above 2000m up to 20cm of fresh fallen snow lies deposited atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack. In transitions from old to fresh fallen snow and inside the snowdrift masses, weak layers can form, the drifts form the slab. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes the bonding of fresh snow to old snow is generally good, weak layers occur only inside the drifted masses. Weak layer in the lowermost part of the snowpack are no longer likely to trigger.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, likelihood of triggering will recede
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Isolated danger zones occur on ridgeline NW/N/NW facing slopes
Particularly on extremely steep S/SW/W facing slopes, increasingly frequent small loose-snow avalanches are possible, esp. in the afternoon hours in case of extended bright intervals. Avalanches can be triggered by persons and reach medium size, esp. by large additional loading, releases mostly small. Esp. on NW/N/NE facing ridgeline slopes above 2000m.
Snowpack
Since Wednesday 10-15 cm has been registered, locally more. Fresh snow and drifts lie deposited on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 2000m atop an unfavorable old snowpack. The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed, with a loose surface of surface hoar and faceted crystals. Mostly small snowdrifts lie deposited on wind-protected shady slopes above 2000m atop weak layers. South-facing slopes and terrain below 2000m: atop a crust.
Tendency
Naturally triggered avalanche activity w increase significantly due to higher temperatures and solar radiation
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Assess with caution freshly generated snowdrifts in steep terrain
Predominantly favorable conditions prevail, with low avalanche danger. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small slab avalanches. Danger zones occur at high altitudes esp. on shady ridgeline steep slopes, they can be blanketed by fresh snowfall and difficult to recognize. Caution: even small avalanches or slides can force one to take a fall. Particularly with solar radiation, mostly small loose-snow avalanches can trigger in extremely steep terrain.
Snowpack
Fresh fallen snow of recent days has led to transported snow by the often strong-velocity winds, thin snowdrifts have been deposited esp. on steep shady slopes at high altitudes atop soft layers. Bonding to the old snowpack surface is poor, and deteriorates with ascending altitude. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes, bonding to the moist old snowpack surface is generally good. The below-average snowpack is generally well consolidated. As temperatures drop, gliding snow activity has receded significantly.
Tendency
Predominantly favorable conditions
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Favorable avalanche situation
Avalanche danger is low. In isolated cases snowdrifts can be problematic and can even be triggered by minimum additional loading as small slabs. Avalanche prone locations are rare, and occur in steep ridgeline terrain in NW/N/E aspects. Snowdrift accumulations are difficult to detect, since they are covered by a few centimeters of loose new fallen snow. In addition, isolated small spontaneous releases of glide-snow avalanches can occur on very steep slopes with smooth ground.
Snowpack
At high altitudes the new fallen snow and snowdrifts of the last few days were deposited atop dry soft layers on the shady side. On the sunny side the bonding with the encrusted old snowpack surface us good. However, up beyond the timberline there is no old snow base. The old snowpack as such is stable, at intermediate altitude thoroughly moist and occasionally wet down to the ground.
Tendency
As of Sunday there will be a slow transition to spring-like conditions due to daytime warming.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Fresh danger spots located in northern to eastern steep slopes in high altitudes.
Low avalanche danger. Danger spots are located in northern to eastern steep slopes, snowdirft is prone to triggering and small slab avalanches can be triggered by small additional loads. Danger spots are partially covered by new snow. Danger of falling is higher than the danger of being buried.
Snowpack
The snow base can settle and is mostly stable. In higher altitudes, especially north and east, thin snowdrift deposits are partially on top of soft layers, partially on top of a hard and icy old snow cover. Above that a thin powder-like new snow layer is found. In general the snow cover is distributed unevenly and wet in medium altitudes. Blown-off areas are often hard and icy.
Tendency
Saturday will be very cloudy with little amount of snowfall and poor visibility. The snowdrift danger will be decreasing. No significant change of the avalanche danger
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Favorable conditions. Caution urged towards small drifts.
Avalanche danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small slab avalanches. Danger zones occur at high altitudes esp. on shady ridgeline steep slopes, they can be blanketed by fresh snowfall and difficult to recognize. Caution: even small avalanches or slides can force one to take a fall. Particularly with solar radiation, mostly small loose-snow avalanches can trigger in extremely steep terrain.
Snowpack
Fresh fallen snow of recent days has led to transported snow by the often strong-velocity winds, thin snowdrifts have been deposited esp. on steep shady slopes at high altitudes atop soft layers. Bonding to the old snowpack surface is poor, and deteriorates with ascending altitude. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes, bonding to the moist old snowpack surface is generally good. The below-average snowpack is generally well consolidated. As temperatures drop, gliding snow activity has receded significantly.
