Wet loose-snow avalnches expected. Weak layers in old snow require caution, esp. in southern regions
Due to solar radiation, increasingly frequent generally small-sized wet loose-snow avalanches are anticipated, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes. Avoid the runout zones!
Avalanches are triggerable by persons in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facng slopes above 1800m, 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.10: springtime scenario dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Sunny slopes: solar radiation will lead to significantly moister snowpack. The fresh snow lies atop an unfavorable snowpack on W/N/E facing slopes abovve 1800m.
Tendency
Wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger in starting zones which have not yet discharged
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
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
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.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Snowdrift accumulations lie deposited on wind-protected shady slopts above 2200m atop soft layers. The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed. Inside the old snowpack are weak layers (faceted crystals). Sunny slopes: solar radiation will lead to significant moistening of the snowpack.
Tendency
Wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger in starting zones which have not yet discharged
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Low avalanche danger in high altitudes - snowdrift is prone to triggering in some places.
Avalanche danger is low. 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
Caution: loose-snow avalanches on extremely steep sunny slopes
Due to solar radiation, increasingly frequent generally small-sized wet loose-snow avalanches are anticipated, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes. Avoid the runout zones! Avalanches are triggerable by persons esp. by large addtional loading on W/N/E facng slopes above 2000m, releases mostly small.
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
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
On shady slopes, isolated near-surface weak layers
Predominantly favorable conditions prevail, with low avalanche danger. Isolated danger zones occur at high altitudes esp. on shady ridgeline steep slopes, they can trigger small slab avalanches in steep shady terrain. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, moist slides are increasingly possible.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and drifts of recent days have bonded well with the old snowpack by and large. Above 2200m on shady slopes, isolated near-surface weak layers are evident. The below-average old snowpack is well consolidated all in all. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent gliding snow activity is expected.
Tendency
Predominantly favorable conditions. Avalanche danger is low. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent gliding snow is expected. During the course of the day, moist slides are increasingly possible.
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
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Predominantly favorable avalanche situation
Avalanche danger is low. In isolated cases snowdrifts can be problematic and can even be triggered by minimum additional loading as mostly small slabs. Avalanche prone locations occur in steep north-facing ridgeline terrain at high altitude. In addition, small loose snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep sun-drenched terrain. Furthermore, 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. Solar radiation will dissolve the bonding with the surface snow. The old snowpack as such is stable, at intermediate altitude thoroughly moist and occasionally wet down to the ground.
Tendency
Slow transition to springtime conditions including of daytime danger cycle.
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
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Favorable conditions
Avalanche danger is low. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent moist slides are possible.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and drifts of recent days have bonded well with the old snowpack by and large. The below-average old snowpack is well consolidated all in all. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent gliding snow activity is expected.
Tendency
Predominantly favorable conditions, low avalanche danger. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent moist slides are possible.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Older danger spots in some places located in northern to eastern steep slopes in high altitudes.
Low avalanche danger. Danger spots are located in some places in northern to eastern steep slopes, snowdrift 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
Due to radiation and increasing temperatures the snow is settling and the avalanche danger is decreasing.
