Wet loose-snow avalanches 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 and starting zones which have not yet discharged. 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 difficult to recognize. Isolated whumpf noises are an indicator of danger. Isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Sunny slopes: Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, a surface crust forms during the nocturnal hours. Solar radiation leads to significantly moister snowpack, esp. on extremely steep slopes. The fresh snow lies atop an unfavorable snowpack on W/N/E facing slopes above 1800m.
Tendency
Wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger in starting zones which have not yet discharged
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Assess slab avalanche danger zones with caution on shady slopes
Avalanche danger above 2200m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size where snow is sufficient or if fractures down to more deeply embedded layers occur. Danger zones occur esp. on NW/N/E 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
The fresh snow has been deposited on steep shady slopes above 2200m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack which is prone to triggering in places. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes, the bonding of fresh fallen snow to the old snowpack is generally good, the surface moistens during the daytime, forms a thin melt-freeze crust at night - not capable of bearing loads. Weak layers in the lowermost part of the snowpack are no longer likely to trigger.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, likelihood of triggering w recede. The snowpack surface is becoming increasingly moist.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution: weak layers in old snow.
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. Older snowdrifts can in isolated cases be triggered esp. on shady slopes above 2200m, releases mostly small-sized. Due to solar radiation, mostly small moist loose-snow avalanches are possible below 2600m, esp on extremely steep sunny slopes. Pay attention to runout zones.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Inside the snowpack are expansively metamorphosed, faceted weak layers, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes above 2200m. The older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop soft layers on wind-protected shady slopes. Sunny slopes: due to low temperatures and low air moisture, a melt-freeze crust forms on the surface during the night. 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
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. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate consideration. 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. With rising temperatures, increasingly frequent gliding snow is expected. During the course of the day, moist slides are increasingly possible.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Beware falls on frozen snowpack surface
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. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate consideration. 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 increasingly wet down to the ground.
Tendency
Transition to springtime conditions including daytime danger cycle
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Snowpack
Tendency
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 NW/N/NE facing slopes above 2000m, releases mostly small.
Snowpack
Sunny slopes: Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, a surface crust forms during the nighttime hours. Solar radiation will lead to significantly moister snowpack during the daytime, esp. on extremely steep slopes. The fresh snow and drifts lie atop an unfavorable snowpack on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 2000m.
Tendency
Loose-snow avalanches can trigger in zones which have not yet discharged.
Danger level
Generally favorable avalanche situation
Avalanche danger is low. Isolated danger zones occur near ridgelines, esp. in steep shady terrain at summit level. 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. During the course of the day, small loose-snow slides continue to be possible. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
On shady slopes at high altitudes, isolated weak layers in transitions from old to fresh snow. 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 ris, likelihood of triggering will recede.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution on shady slopes: still danger zones for small 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/E 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. During the course of t day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible in all aspects, releases will be generally small-sized. On steep grass-covered slopes, very isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The fresh snow has been deposited on steep shady slopes above 2200m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack which is prone to triggering in places. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes, the bonding of fresh fallen snow to the old snowpack is generally good, the surface moistens during the daytime, forms a thin melt-freeze crust at night - not capable of bearing loads. Weak layers in t lowermost part of the snowpack are no longer likely to trigger.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, likelihood of triggering will recede. The snowpack is moistening increasingly.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Snowpack
Tendency
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 the met-hoar crusts in lower altitudes can be possibly triggered. The snow surface is hoar-like or icy. On top of that is im higher altitudes a powder-like layer, which will stay longer in shady areas, but will soften in sunny areas. In general the snow cover is unevenly distributed and thoroughly wet in medium altitudes. Blown-off areas are often hard and icy.
Tendency
In the areas with higher amounts of snow are wet loose-snow avalanches during the course of the day possible.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Favorable conditions
Avalanche danger is low. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent moist slides are possible, esp. on sunny slopes.
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, increasingly frequent moist slides are possible.
