Beware: the snowpack is still prone to triggering at high altitudes
A single winter sports enthusiast can trigger slab avalanches in the old snow. If one sweeps away the entire snowpack it 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
The old snowpack is overall unfavorably structured. Intermediate layers inside the snow cover continue to be only moderat-to-weakly bonded together. Settling noises, fractures in the surface and avalanache releases continue to confirm the ongoing proneness to triggering of the snowpack. As a result of intermittently strong southerly winds, fresh snowdrifts have accumulated particularly in high-altitude ridgeline and pass areas; these are deposited atop a loose old snowpack base on shady high-altitude slopes and are prone to triggering.
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 lies on a weak old snowpack
The avalanche danger increases rapidly and is considerable above 2000 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by low additional loads and can reach medium size. Both fresh and older drift snowpacks as well as the weakly built-up old snowpack can be disturbed, whereby fractures can tear through. Avalanche prone locations are found in north-west, north to east facing steep terrain, but also in the southern sector and generally next to blown-off areas. They increase rapidly above the tree line. Remote triggering is possible, drifting snow areas should be avoided on a large scale. Whumpfing collapsing sounds can indicate danger. Terrain traps are less full due to a lack of snow and are therefore more effective.
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. The transition from fresh and slightly older windslab snow to the old snowpack (faceted crystals on/under the crust) usually serves as a weak layer. Deeper in the persistent weak layer are further weak layers of faceted crystals and deep rime, often in the vicinity of crusts. Ridges and ridges are often completely blown off.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Snow cover tests can help with the assessment.
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 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 settles 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 partly stable crust and thin breakable crust at higher elevations. On the sunny slopes, it is frozen hard in the morning and firns up during the daytime changes. At the highest elevations, some fresh wind slab could develop on a small scale. The snow depths are below average.
Tendency
The persistent weak layer problem remains for the time being.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Moderate avalanche danger due to persistent weak layer problem!
The avalanche danger is classified as moderate from the tree line upwards. In areas adjacent to the ridgeline, at crossings, behind terrain edges and in steep bowls and gullies, slab avalanches of up to medium size can still be triggered in places, especially in the northern and eastern sectors, even with little additional load. Despite strong southerly winds at times, there are hardly any fresh loads, but if there are, be aware of them.
Snowpack
Older windslab snow and bonded snow lies on an unstable old snowpack that has been transformed by building up. Easily recognisable weak layers are present in the form of faceted crystals without bindings and/or floating snow. Higher up, there may be fresh, small-scale but easily disturbed drifts. In general, there is little snow and the snow cover, snowpack is very unevenly distributed. In addition to completely blown away areas, there are also well-filled areas.
Tendency
Still 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 increases rapidly with altitude and is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by low additional loads and can be small to medium in size. Surface-triggered avalanches can tear through to the ground. Avalanche prone locations are concentrated in north-west to north to south-east orientated steep terrain. They increase rapidly in size and frequency with altitude, especially next to blown-off areas. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when walking on the snow cover, snowpack can indicate danger. At high altitudes, older wind slabs are sometimes still prone to triggering. Terrain traps are less full due to a lack of snow and are therefore more effective.
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 early morning it has at least a thin melt-freeze crust, and up to around 1900 m it also has a crust of rain ice. The transition from fresh and older wind slab to old snowpack (faceted crystals on/under crust) usually serves as a weak layer. This consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts. The total snow depth is still well below average. The sunny slopes and the broad ridges are often completely blown off or covered in snow.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
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 rated 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
Surface hoar forms during the night. Fresh snowdrift accumulations form due to the stormy south wind. 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. 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 the avalanche danger.
The southerly wind will shift more to the west on Wednesday and become significantly weaker. It will be a touch colder, especially on the northern side of the Alps, cooling down to -1 degrees at 2000 metres. Otherwise it will remain widely cloudless.
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
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 snowpack surface is melt-freeze encrusted in early morning, then softens 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
Low avalanche danger, isolated avalanche prone locations in shady slopes.
The avalanche danger is low. However, small slab avalanches can still be triggered occasionally in extremely steep, shady slopes above the tree line. Slides can occur at the individual avalanche prone locations even with a small additional load. The risk of being swept away and falling is significantly higher than the risk of burial. In the entrance area to steep gullies, there may be icy patches under thin snowdrift accumulations.
Snowpack
The snow surface is crusted can form and hard in the morning, during the day it softens a little on the sunny slopes and becomes partly slushy. The snow base, fundament is mostly set and compact. In extremely steep shady slopes, the snow base, fundament can sometimes be 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 high.
Precipitation is still not expected.
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. In places with blowing snow, a small avalanche may be triggered in particular by a heavier load. More blown snow
in Gullys and Gullys.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
Snow is scarce and local conditions are quite variable. Crust has formed on the surface in some places. On the sunny slopes of the mid-mountains, the snow is more transformed, with patches of land appearing. Elsewhere, the snowpack is mostly dry and less transformed, with grains in the upper layers being thinned. Ridges and peaks are in many places blown down to a crusted or icy base.
Tendency
Avalanche conditions will remain similar in the coming days. Early next week will be cooler than in the past period.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Risk of injury due to overhanging obstacles and risk of falling
The avalanche danger is low. Persistent weak layers are the problem. Small avalanches can occasionally be triggered 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
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Low risk of small, wet avalanches
The avalanche risk is low. Individual wet and small avalanches can spontaneously release from very steep terrain with the sun's rays. Terrain traps are less full due to a lack of snow and are therefore more effective.
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.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
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 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
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
In the higher elevations, 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. Older snowdrift accumulations form the snow slab on the existing weak layers and are sometimes prone to triggering in the shady areas. 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!
