A single winter sports enthusiast can trigger slab avalanches in the old snow. If they sweep away the entire snowpack they can grow to medium size. Danger zones are located expecially 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. Activities in outlying terrain away from secured ski runs require experience in evaluating the terrain and assessment of avalanche dangers. In addition, as a result of foehn-wind impact, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been genearted particularly in ridgline and pass areas.
Snowpack
As a result of brisk to strong-velocity southerly winds, fresh snowdrifts have accumulated particularly in high-altitude ridgeline and pass areas. These were deposited on shady high altitude slopes top loosely-packed old snow and are prone to triggering. Bonding of the fresh snow and drifts from last week to the often faceted, expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface and unfavorably structured layers inside the snowpack is only moderate-to-poor from place to place. Settling noises, fractures in the surface and avalanache releases continue to confirm the ongoing proneness to triggering of the snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will recede only gradually. At high altitudes, weak layers inside the snowpack continue to be prone to triggering.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m
Fresh wind slab due to south foehn
The risk of avalanches increases rapidly with altitude from around 1800 metres and is considerable above 2000 metres.
Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by small additional loads and can reach medium size. Avalanche prone locations are concentrated in the north-west, north to east facing steep terrain, but also in the southern sector, behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. They increase rapidly in size and frequency with altitude. The wind slabs are often located directly next to blown-off areas, are easily recognisable and should be avoided at all costs. Cracks and whumpfing collapsing sounds when walking on the snow cover, snowpack are a sign of danger.
Snowpack
Under the influence of mild air and sunlight, the snow cover, snowpack has settled and become cardboardy up to around 2000 metres. It has at least a thin melt-freeze crust in the morning. Fresh and older wind slabs lie on an angular, prone-to-triggering old snow base. Further weak layers of faceted crystals and deep rime lie in the persistent weak layer below and can occasionally be activated by surface avalanches. The total snow depth is still well below average in many places. Broad ridge and ridges are often completely blown off.
Tendency
No significant change on Monday.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Snow cover tests help to assess the risk of avalanches.
The avalanche danger is moderate above 1600 metres and low below that. The main problem is a persistent weak layer. Dry slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations can be found at the transition from little to much snow, for example at the entrance to gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can reach medium size, especially on snowy eastern and northern slopes.
Snowpack
The snow cover, snowpack is increasingly settling in mild temperatures. At higher altitudes, bonded snow lies on weak, built-up layers, often in the area of harsh crusts. The snowpack base here consists of faceted crystals. Up to medium elevations, the snow surface is dominated by breakable crust. On the sunny slopes, it is frozen hard in the morning and firns up during the daytime changes.
Tendency
The persistent weak layer problem remains for the time being.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Consistently avoid steep areas next to windswept terrain
The avalanche danger is moderate above around 1800 metres and low below.
Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered in very steep terrain by low additional loads. Most avalanche prone locations are on north-west, north to south-east facing slopes, behind ridges and in gullies and bowls. Steep areas with older wind slabs should be avoided.
Snowpack
Under the influence of mild air and sunlight, the snow cover, snowpack has settled and become cardboardy up to around 2000 metres. In the morning, it has a melt-freeze crust that is not stable everywhere. At higher altitudes, older wind slabs are still prone to triggering in places. The transition to the old snowpack (faceted crystals on/under the crust) usually serves as a weak layer. It consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts. The total snow depth is still well below average. Ridges and ridges are often completely blown off.
Tendency
No significant change.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Avalanches can easily be triggered in places!
The avalanche danger is classified as moderate above the tree line. There are still avalanche prone locations in very to extremely steep terrain adjacent to the ridgeline, behind terrain edges and in bowls and gullies. Here, slab avalanches, which can reach medium size, can be triggered in places by even a small additional load. Only rarely could there still be transportable snow. This means that fresh, prone-to-triggering avalanches could occur on a small scale due to the strong southerly wind.
Snowpack
Older wind slab and bonded snow lies on an old snowpack that has been weakened by the kinetic metamorphism. These easily accessible weak layers are present in the form of faceted crystals without binding and/or floating snow. At high altitudes, fresh small-scale but very easily disturbed snowdrift accumulations could only form where transportable snow occurs. The snow depths are still very below average.
Tendency
No significant change in the snow and avalanche situation.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Weak old snowpack with low snow cover
The avalanche danger is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered in very steep terrain by even a small additional load. Most avalanche prone locations are located on north-west, north to south-east facing slopes, behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. The danger areas in steep terrain are often located next to the blown-off parts of the terrain and should be consistently avoided. Cracks and whumpfing collapsing sounds when walking on the snow cover, snowpack indicate danger.
Snowpack
Under the influence of mild air and sunlight, the snow cover, snowpack has settled and become cardboardy up to around 2000 metres. In the morning, it has at least a thin melt-freeze crust, and up to around 1900 metres it also has a crust of rain ice. At high altitudes, older wind slab snow is still prone to triggering in places, and fresh wind slab snow is also formed on a small scale during the day. The transition to the old snowpack (faceted crystals on/under the crust) usually serves as a weak layer. It consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts. Surface-triggered avalanches can tear through to the ground. The total snow depth is still well below average. Ridges and ridges are often completely blown off.
Tendency
It will remain foehn, the situation will not change significantly on Tuesday.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Beware of prone to triggering persistent weak layers in the high altitudes!
The avalanche danger is assessed as moderate above 1,800 metres and low below that. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places even with little additional load and can reach medium size when breaking through the persistent weak layer. The danger areas are located in particular in the north-west to east aspects behind ridgelines and terrain edges as well as in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls. In particular, transitions from a little to a lot of snow and the edges of fresh and older snow packs should be avoided.
Snowpack
At high altitudes, fresh and older wind slab snow lies in the extended north and east exposures on an unstable snow cover, snowpack with weak layers of faceted crystals and floating snow. Fresh and older drift snow packs form the snow slab on the existing weak layers and are prone to triggering. On the sunny slopes, the snow cover, snowpack is mostly settled and quite compact. On the sunny slopes, the slopes in some regions are bare up to 2000 metres.
Tendency
No change in avalanche danger. Partly strong southerly winds in dry air. No snow in sight at the moment!
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Moderate avalanche danger at higher altitudes
As a result of foehn-wind impact, generally small-sized, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated in places at high altitudes. Older drifts from last week are still prone to triggering in places at high altitudes. Winter sports enthusiasts can triger small, in isolated cases medium-sized avalanches in wind-loaded zones, particularly on steep W-N-E facing slopes and in transitions from shallow to deep snow, for example at the entry into gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
As a result of brisk to strong-velocity southerly winds, fresh snowdrifts have accumulated particularly in high-altitude ridgeline and pass areas. These were deposited on shady high altitude slopes top loosely-packed old snow and are prone to triggering. Bonding of the fresh snow and drifts from last week to the often faceted, expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface and unfavorably structured layers inside the snowpack is only moderate-to-poor from place to place. As a result of mild temperatures, the snow at low and intermediate altitudes is moist and the surface is melt-freeze encrusted in early morning. At low altitudes there is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will recede only gradually due to weakly structured snowpack.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Be aware of the risk of falling and overhanging obstacles!
The avalanche danger is low. Persistent weak layers are the problem. Small avalanches can be triggered occasionally with little additional load. Avalanche prone locations can be found on very steep slopes in the northern and eastern aspects, especially when entering gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
Up to high altitudes, the snow cover, snowpack is crusted on the surface. At higher altitudes, bonded snow lies in places on angular, built-up layers. On the sunny slopes, the hard-frozen snow cover, snowpack softens on the surface during the daytime changes. Larger areas are beginning to tap out here. Ground contact is to be expected everywhere.
Tendency
The avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Areas prone to triggering due to weak layers in the persistent weak layer
The avalanche danger is assessed as low. Slab avalanches can still be triggered in a few places with little additional load, but usually remain small. The danger areas are located in particular in the north-west to east aspects behind ridgelines and terrain edges as well as in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls. Prone to triggering is greatest at the transition from a little to a lot of snow and in the edge areas of fresh and older snow packs.
Snowpack
At high altitudes, fresh and older wind slab snow lies in the extended northern and eastern exposures on an unstable snow cover, snowpack with weak layers of faceted crystals and floating snow. Snowdrift accumulations form the snow slab on the existing weak layers and are sometimes prone to disruption. On the sunny slopes, the snow cover, snowpack is mostly settled and quite compact. The snow depths are still below average.
Tendency
No change in avalanche danger. Partly strong southerly winds in dry air. No snow in sight at the moment!
Danger level
Low avalanche danger, isolated avalanche prone locations in shady slopes
The avalanche danger is low. In extremely steep shady slopes above the tree line, small slab avalanches cannot be completely ruled out. The risk of injury and falling generally outweighs the risk of burial. In general, be careful in the hardness or icy entrance areas to steep gullies. Especially in the extended northern exposures, fresh, thin snowdrift accumulations can cover the icy areas.
Snowpack
The snow surface is crusted and hard, during the day it hardly softens even on the sunny slopes. The snow base, fundament is usually set and compact. In extremely steep shady-slope gullies, the snow base, fundament can be partially weakened by angular shapes, but these areas are rare. In general, the snow cover is below average, with often only a few centimetres of snow covering the ground below the tree line.
Tendency
The avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Isolated avalanche prone locations on steep shady slopes
Avalanche danger is low. Isolated danger zones are located on extremely steep shady slopes. Small-sized avalanches can, in isolated cases, be triggered even by minimum additional loading. Danger zones occur mostly in transitions from shallow to deep snow, for example, at the entry point into gullies and bowls. The risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require caution.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow and drifts from last week were able to settle as a result of higher temperatures. The snowpack surface is melt-freeze encrusted in early morning, then soften up during the day, particularly on sunny slopes. At low altitudes there is little snow on the ground. South-facing slopes are becoming increasingly bare of snow.
Tendency
No significant change anticipated
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Persistent weak layer
Avalanche danger is low
The snowpack stabilized a little in the last few days as the weather warmed up. There are some places with blowing snow, which can trigger a small Avalanche if the load is too high. More blowing snow may also be present in gullies and gullys.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
The snow base is locally quite variable, with little snow in general and a Crust on top. On the sunny slopes of the mid-mountains, the snow is more variable, with land areas appearing. Elsewhere, the snowpack is mostly dry and less transformed, with a thinning at the top. Ridges and peaks are in many places blown down, the ground may be covered with a crust or icy.
Tendency
Avalanche conditions will remain similar in the coming days. Early next week will be cooler than in the past period.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Low avalanche danger, isolated avalanche prone locations in shady slopes
The avalanche danger is low. In extremely steep and shady slopes above the tree line, the triggering of small slab avalanches cannot be completely ruled out. The risk of injury and falling generally outweighs the risk of burial. In general, be careful in the hardness or icy entrance areas to steep gullies. Especially in the extended northern exposures, fresh, thin snowdrift accumulations can cover the icy areas.
Snowpack
The snow surface is crusted and hard, during the day it hardly softens even on the sunny slopes. The snow base, fundament is usually set and compact. In extremely steep shady-slope gullies, the snow base, fundament can be partially weakened by angular shapes, but these areas are rare. In general, the snow cover is below average, with often only a few centimetres of snow covering the ground below the tree line.
Tendency
No change in avalanche danger. Partly strong southerly winds in dry air. No snow in sight at the moment!
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Low risk of small, wet avalanches
The avalanche risk is low. Individual wet and predominantly small avalanches can spontaneously break loose from very steep terrain with the sunlight.
Snowpack
The snow cover, snowpack is moist to wet due to rainfall, mild air and sunlight, depending on the altitudes, and closes with a crust of melt or rain ice, which can build up steeply during the day on the sunny slopes and protected from the wind. Edgy persistent weak layers partially weaken the snow base, fundament.
