Assess with caution: fresh snowdrifts near ridgelines and behind protruberances. Often blanketed danger zones in old snow.
Avalanche danger above 2200m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size where snow is sufficient. Danger zones occur esp. on NW/N/NE facing slopes, esp. near ridgelines and behind protruberances in the terrain and at entries into steep gullies and bowls. Danger zones often blanketed, making them difficult to recognize. Avalanches in the old snow above 2200m are isolated, possible only in extremely steep terrain on north-facing slopes. During the course of the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected in all aspects, releases will be generally small-sized. On steep grass-covered slopes, very isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Up to 40cm of fresh snow has been deposited on steep shady slopes above 2200m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack. Fresh snowdrift accumulations have often been generated therefrom. Also the loose fresh snow from earlier is settling, gaining bonding. Weak layers occur in transitions to the old snowpack surface (faceted crystals) and inside the bonded fresh snow and drifts (loose fresh snow). The drifts stop this and the increasingly bonded fresh snow form the requisite slab. 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
Generally favorable conditions
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
The fresh snow of recent days has bonded well with the old snowpack surface by and large. On shady slopes above 2200m, isolated weak layer in transitions from old to fresh snow. The bonded fresh snow or thin snowdrift patches form the requisite slab. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes the bonding of fresh snow to old snow is generally good, the snowpack is often moistened and forms a thin melt-freeze crust during the night.
Tendency
Little change anticipated. As temperatures gradually rise, likelihood of triggering will recede.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution on shady slopes: still danger zones for slab avalanches. Otherwise predominantly favorable conditions.
Avalanche danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size where snow is sufficient. Danger zones occur esp. on NW/N/NE facing slopes, esp. near ridgelines and behind protruberances in the terrain and at entries into steep gullies and bowls. Danger zones often blanketed, making them difficult to recognize. Avalanches in the old snow above 2200m are isolated, possible only in extremely steep terrain on north-facing slopes. During the course of the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected in all aspects, releases will be generally small-sized. On steep grass-covered slopes, very isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible. 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
The fresh snow has been deposited on steep shady slopes above 2200m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack. Fresh snowdrift accumulations have often been generated therefrom. Also the loose fresh snow from earlier is settling, gaining bonding. Weak layers occur in transitions to the old snowpack surface (faceted crystals) and inside the bonded fresh snow and drifts (loose fresh snow). The drifts stop this and the increasingly bonded fresh snow form the requisite slab. 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
