Assess steep shady slopes above 2400m with caution
Avalanche danger above 2400m 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 2400m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack which is prone to triggering in places. Weak layers in the lowermost part of the snowpack are no longer likely to trigger. 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 - and can forfeit bonding.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, likelihood of persistent weak layers triggering will recede, but wet-snow problem will intensify
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
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. During the course of the day, this crust softens, the surface becomes moist and can forfeit its bonding.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, persistent-weak-layer problem will intensify
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wet snow
2800m
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 above 2400m, 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 the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible in all aspects, esp. in extremely steep south-facing terrain below 2800m, 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 2400m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack which is prone to triggering in places. Weak layers in the lowermost part of the snowpack are no longer likely to trigger. 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 - and can forfeit bonding.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, likelihood of triggering will recede. The snowpack is moistening increasingly.
