The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and moderate below it. The problem is wind slab avalanches at all altitudes. Slab avalanches can easily be triggered in blown-in areas, especially on steep slopes with aspects from north-west to east to south and in gullies and bowls with little additional load. Avalanche prone locations can also be found in forest transition areas, forest aisles and clearings. Avalanches can also become large in isolated cases.
Snowpack
With stormy westerly winds and snowfall, snowdrift accumulations continue to grow. Fresh and older wind slab lies on soft layers or surface hoar and is very prone to triggering. In places, weak intermediate layers are embedded in the new snow pack. At higher altitudes, deeper layers often consist of faceted crystals. The snow depth varies greatly, alternating between blown and drifted snow.
Tendency
The avalanche situation remains critical for the time being.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
Treeline
Weak old snow and fresh snowdrifts prone to triggering
Fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrifts are poorly bonded with the weak old snowpack. One single person can trigger slab avalanches in the drifts and old snow. If the fracture sweeps away the entire snowpack, the release can grow to medium size. Danger zones are located in all aspects, but especially on shady slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. Activities in backcountry demand defensive conduct.
Snowpack
Fresh snowfall is anticipated: 15-30cm, as much as 50cm in Verwall and Lechquellengebirge. It will be transported by intermittently strong to storm-strength westerly winds. The fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts since Thursday frequently lie deposited atop a loosely-packed, faceted and expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface or on surface hoar. Bonding is poor. The old snowpack is unfavorably structured.
Tendency
As a result of more snowfall and wind, avalanche danger to rise significantly by Sunday
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Avoid snowdrift accumulations!
The avalanche danger is moderate. Wind slab can be triggered as a small to medium slab avalanche by a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations are located adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit and distant from ridgelines in steep terrain with aspects from northwest to east to south as well as in gullies and bowls. Snow slabs can also be triggered in forest transition areas as well as in aisles and clearings. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of falling and injury must be taken into account.
Snowpack
It remains stormy. The fresh and older wind slab is prone to triggering on soft layers or surface hoar. The base of the snowpack is often crusted can form at medium elevations, at higher elevations it consists of faceted crystals. The snow depth varies greatly, alternating between blown and drifted snow-laden areas.
Tendency
Depending on the amount of new snow, the avalanche risk may increase.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Places with blowing snow are more dangerous
Places with blowing snow are particularly dangerous, as even a heavy load can trigger a small to medium-sized avalanche. Greater caution is needed in ravines and gullies, where there may be large amounts of blowing snow.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
There is relatively little snow. The snow base is uneven due to the influence of the wind. There is some light snow in the lee, but the snow base is mostly hard and Crust. More caution is needed, especially in places where the wind has created new snow layers.
Tendency
Snow showers will occur during the night and into Saturday morning. Snowfall is expected to range from 5 to 20 cm. The amount of precipitation is still uncertain. The danger of Avalanche will increase slightly with heavier precipitation. This is particularly the case on Saturday and Sunday, when a stronger northerly wind will carry fresh snow and build new drifts.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Pay attention to wind slabs adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below.
In some places, wind slab adjacent to the ridgeline can be triggered as a small slab avalanche by even a small additional load. Most avalanche prone locations are in the north and east sector behind terrain edges, in gullies and bowls. The risk of falling outweighs the risk of burial away from terrain traps. Also beware of stones that are only slightly covered by snow.
Snowpack
By Friday evening, 10 to 20 cm of new fallen snow had fallen, with a further 5 to 10 cm falling by Saturday evening. Fresh wind slab snow is lying on top of soft new fallen snow at high altitudes, which is a weak layer. Below 1400 metres, rainfall on Friday has partially moistened the snow cover, snowpack there has formed a melt-freeze crust. The old snowpack consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts and has little tendency to break up.
Overall, there is little snow.
Tendency
The wind slab remains prone to triggering. As the snowfall continues, the snowdrift accumulations will increase slightly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Rising avalanche danger above the timberline
Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations and weak layers in the old snow are prone to triggering. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger small-sized slab avalanches. Danger zones occur especially near ridgelines and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, as well as in extremely steep terrain. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall require caution.
Snowpack
Fresh snowfall is anticipated: 15-30cm. It will be transported by intermittently strong to storm-strength westerly winds. The fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts since Thursday frequently lie deposited atop a loosely-packed, faceted and expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface or on surface hoar. Bonding is poor.
Tendency
As a result of more snowfall and wind, avalanche danger to rise significantly by Sunday
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Pay attention to fresh wind slab!
The avalanche danger is classified as moderate above the tree line. Particular attention should be paid to the eastern sector and south-facing areas adjacent to the ridgeline as well as filled steep bowls and gullies. Medium slab avalanches could be triggered here by even a small additional load. Avoid and pay attention to these avalanche prone locations.
Snowpack
The recently fallen new snow and further snowfall is being transported by predominantly strong winds from the west to north-west and binds poorly with the cold, superficially soft or icy old snowpack or older windslab snow. The sometimes more extensive snowdrift accumulations are very prone to disturbance and older ones can contain thin intermediate layers such as angular shapes. The snow depths vary greatly, alternating between blown and wind-slabbed areas.
Tendency
The wind slab remains prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Note small snowdrift accumulations adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. In some places, wind slab adjacent to the ridgeline can be triggered as a small slab avalanche by even a small additional load. Most avalanche prone locations are located in the north and east sectors behind terrain edges, in gullies and bowls. The risk of falling outweighs the risk of burial away from terrain traps. Also beware of stones that are only slightly covered by snow.
Snowpack
Around 10 cm of new fallen snow fell on Friday, with another 5 cm of new snow coming overnight. Soft new fallen snow overlaid by wind slabs can form a weak layer near the surface. Overall, there is little snow and there are no pronounced weak layers within the old snowpack.
Tendency
The wind slab remains prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering!
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line. Fresh drift snow areas can be triggered as small to medium-sized slab avalanches by low additional loads. The avalanche prone locations are located in particular in the steep terrain adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit in the north-west, east to south aspects as well as in gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
Since Thursday, up to 20 cm of new fallen snow has fallen in places, which was deposited as wind slab on a soft layer of snow interspersed with graupel with strong winds from the west. Up to around 1400 metres, some rain on Friday partially moistened the snow cover, snowpack there forming a melt-freeze crust as it cooled down again. At higher altitudes, the warming caused the layer to bind in places. Weak layers for slab avalanches form soft snow layers (new fallen snow, faceted crystals) in the transition to the crusted old snowpack, the foundation of which is additionally weakened in places by kinetic metamorphism. The snow depth varies greatly. Hardness, blown and drifting snow-laden areas alternate.
Tendency
As the snowfall intensifies with strong north-westerly winds, the avalanche risk slowly increases.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slab prone to triggering
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below.
In some places, wind slabs adjacent to the ridgeline can be triggered by even a small additional load. Slab avalanches can reach medium size, the snowdrift accumulations grow during the daytime changes. Most avalanche prone locations are on north-west, north to south-east facing slopes, behind terrain edges, in gullies and bowls. Cracks when walking on the snow cover, snowpack indicate the danger. In addition to the risk of burial, the danger of being swept away and falling must be taken into account. There are also still many stones lurking.
Snowpack
By Friday evening, 10 to 20 cm of new fallen snow had fallen, with a further 5 to 10 cm falling by Saturday evening. Wind and snowfall are constantly forming fresh wind slabs at altitude. The last snow to fall, surface hoar as well as faceted crystals above/below the top crust can serve as a weak layer. The rest of the old snowpack consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts and has little tendency to break up.
Below 1400 metres, rainfall moistened the snow cover on Friday, where a melt-freeze crust has formed on which the new fallen snow lies.
The amount of snow is well below average.
Tendency
The wind slab remains prone to triggering. As the snowfall continues, the snowdrift accumulations will increase slightly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Moderate avalanche danger above the tree line due to fresh wind slab!
The avalanche danger is moderate above the tree line. Fresh snowdrift accumulations, mainly in the north, east and south sectors, can be triggered as medium slab avalanches in some places behind ridgelines, terrain edges and in gullies and bowls due to low additional loads.
Snowpack
Since Thursday, up to 30 cm of new fallen snow, sometimes interspersed with graupel, has been transported to the eastern sectors, especially in the northern Alps, by strong westerly to north-westerly winds, where it forms bound wind slab. In regions and terrain with little wind, the new fallen snow remains soft and powdery. The fresh wind slab can contain weak layers and often lies on an unstable layer of faceted crystals or surface hoar. In the foundation of the snow cover, kinetic metamorphism (floating snow) weakens the stability.
Tendency
During the night to Sunday, some new fallen snow will be added in the north of the country and the avalanche risk will continue to slowly increase.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to disruption
The avalanche danger is moderate above the tree line and low below.
Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by even a small additional load. Avalanches can reach medium size, the fresh snowdrift accumulations grow during the daytime changes. Avalanche prone locations can be found in all aspects, adjacent to the ridgeline and distant from ridgelines, behind terrain edges, in gullies and bowls. Cracks when walking on the snow cover, snowpack indicate danger. In addition to the risk of burial, attention must be paid to the risk of being swept away and falling. There are also still many stones lurking.
Snowpack
By Friday evening, 10 to 20 cm of new fallen snow had fallen, by Saturday evening another 5 to 10 cm, locally even more. Wind and snowfall are constantly forming fresh wind slabs at high altitudes. Both the recently fallen soft snow, surface hoar and faceted crystals above/below the uppermost crust can serve as a weak layer. The rest of the old snowpack consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep frost and melt-freeze crusts, where it has little tendency to break up.
The amount of snow is clearly below average.
Tendency
The wind slab remains prone to triggering. As the snowfall continues, the snowdrift accumulations will increase slightly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering in places!
The avalanche danger is low. Nevertheless, fresh drift snow areas can be triggered as small slab avalanches by a single person. The avalanche prone locations are located in particular in the steep terrain adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit in the north-west, east to south aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. The risk of being swept away and falling continues to outweigh the risk of burial.
Snowpack
Some new fallen snow was deposited by strong winds from westerly directions in the leeward areas as wind slab on a soft layer of snow interspersed with graupel. Up to around 1400 metres, some rain on Friday has partially moistened the snow cover, snowpack there is forming a melt-freeze crust with renewed cooling. Weak layers for slab avalanches form soft snow layers (new fallen snow, faceted crystals) in the transition to the crusted old snowpack, the foundation of which is occasionally weakened by kinetic metamorphism. The snow depth varies greatly. Hardness, blown and drifting snow-laden areas alternate.
Tendency
With some snowfall and strong north-westerly winds, the avalanche danger increases slightly.
Danger level
Note isolated snowdrift accumulations
The avalanche danger is low. There are only a few fresh snowdrift accumulations in gullies and bowls and behind exposed broad ridges and ridgelines. These can be triggered as small slab avalanches. The risk of falling outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
At higher altitudes, fresh snowdrift accumulations often lie on soft layers of snow, which can act as a weak layer. In addition, some rain and brief warming has partially moistened the snow cover, where a melt-freeze crust forms with renewed cooling. Generally speaking, there is little snow.
Tendency
Little change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Low avalanche danger, but watch out for fresh wind slab!
The avalanche danger is low. However, fresh snowdrift accumulations in gullies and bowls and behind ridges and ridgelines above the tree line are prone to disruption and can be triggered by individuals as small slab avalanches.
Snowpack
Fresh snowdrift accumulations often lie on faceted crystals or surface hoar, which can act as a weak layer. Apart from this, the old snow surface is only covered by a few centimetres of new fallen snow. In general, kinetic metamorphism weakens the thin snow base, fundament. Windward terrain is usually blown off and almost snow-free.
Tendency
During the night to Sunday, a little new fallen snow will be added in the north of the country and the avalanche risk will increase slightly there.
