One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger slab avalanches in the old snow. When they sweep away the entire snowpack, the avalanches can grow to medium size. Danger zones occur especially on steep shady slopes, but also in wind-loaded gullies and bowls in all aspects. Whumpf noises and fractures on the surface are alarm signals. Also remote triggerings continue to be possible. In addition, freshly generated snowdrifts in higher-altitude pass and ridgeline zones require caution. Activities in backcountry require experience in evaluating the terrain and assessing avalanche danger.
Snowpack
As a result of often strong-velocity southerly winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations have been generated in ridgeline terrain and pass zones which are prone to triggering. Bonding of the most recent fresh snow and drifts to the often faceted, expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface and inside the unfavorably structured layers of old snow continues to be moderate-to-weak. In addition, layers inside the fresh snow and drifted snow masses from last week are often still prone to triggering. Remote triggerings, settling noises, fractures on the surface continue to confirm the trigger-sensitivity.
Tendency
No significant change is anticipated. Layers of old snow remain prone to triggering at high altitudes.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Moderate avalanche danger at higher altitudes
Older and small-sized freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are often still prone to triggering at high altitudes. Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger small, in isolated cases medium sized slab avalanches in wind-loaded zones, particularly on steep W-N-E facing slopes and in gullies and bowls. At lower altitudes, wet snowslides and small avalanches will be possible.
Snowpack
The most recent fresh fallen snow and snowdrifts were able to settle further due to higher temperatures. Bonding to the often faceted, expansively metamorphosed snowpack surface and inside the unfavorably structured layers of old snow is often only moderate. In addition, layers inside the fresh snow and drifted snow from last week are often still prone to triggering. As a result of higher temperatures, the snow at low and intermediate altitudes is moistend and the snowpack surfact is melt-freeze encrusted in early morning. At low altitudes there is only little snow on the ground.
