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 a release sweeps away the entire snowpack the avalanche 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 generated particularly in ridgline and pass areas.
Snowpack
The old snowpack is overall unfavorably structured. Intermediate layers inside the snow cover continue to be only moderate-to-weakly bonded together. Settling noises, fractures in the surface and avalanche releases continue to confirm the ongoing proneness to triggering of the snowpack. In addition, older snowdrift accumulations on shady high-altitude slopes can be prone to triggering in places.
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 risk of avalanches is considerable above around 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 from the tree line onwards. Isolated remote triggering is still 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
With warm temperatures, the snow cover was moistened up to around 2000 m and froze overnight to form at least a thin melt-freeze crust; in some areas it is icy next to the fresh drift snow. The transition from fresh and slightly older wind slab to 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 near crusts. Ridges and ridges are often completely blown off when the snow conditions are below average.
Tendency
As the south foehn subsides, the wind slab problem is decreasing but the persistent weak layer problem remains.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Moderate avalanche danger at higher altitudes
Older drifts from last week and unfavorably structured intermediate layers inside the snowpack are still prone to triggering in places at high altitudes. Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger 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
The most recent fresh snow and drifts were able to settle further as a result of higher temperatures. Bonding to the often faceted, expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface and to unfavorably structured layers inside the snowpack is often only moderate. Due to higher temperatures the snow at low and intermediate altitudes is moist and the snowpack surface 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
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Persistent weak layer problem - moderate avalanche danger!
The avalanche risk remains moderate in some areas above the tree line. Attention must still be paid to steep slopes adjacent to the ridgeline, transitions, terrain edges and steep bowls and gullies, especially in the northern and eastern sectors. Slab avalanches of up to medium size can still be triggered here in places even with low additional loads. Avoid small-scale fresh drifts caused by southerly winds, especially at higher elevations.
Snowpack
Local wind slabs and bonded snow lie on an unstable old snowpack that has been transformed by building up. Easily accessible weak layers are present in the form of faceted crystals and/or floating snow. At higher elevations, fresh, small-scale but easily disturbed drifts may be present. 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.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Weak layers in persistent weak layers remain triggerable.
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
Above approx. 1600 m, bonded snow lies on built-up layers, often in the area of harsch crusts. These layers are still prone to triggering in places. The snowpack base consists mainly of faceted crystals. Up to medium altitudes, the snow surface is dominated by partly stable crust and thin breakable crust at higher altitudes. On the sunny slopes, it is frozen hard in the morning and firns up during the daytime changes. At the highest elevations, there is some fresh wind slab on a small scale. The snow depths are below average.
Tendency
The persistent weak layer problem remains for the time being.
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. 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 east-facing 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
With warm temperatures, the snow cover was moistened up to around 2000 m and froze overnight to form at least a thin melt-freeze crust; in some areas it is icy next to the fresh drift snow. 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
Persistent weak layer problem in the northern sector!
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 to east aspects behind ridgelines and terrain edges as well as in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
The stormy southerly wind from the montage caused fresh, small-scale snowdrift accumulations to form. In the higher elevations, there is fresh and older wind slab snow in the extended northern and eastern exposures on an unstable snow cover, snowpack with weak layers of faceted crystals and floating snow. On the sunny slopes, the snow cover, snowpack is mostly settled and quite compact.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche danger.
Thursday will be mostly sunny and the wind will blow from the south.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Fresh wind slab and weak old snowpack with low snow cover
The avalanche danger is moderate above 1800 m and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by small additional loads, but remain predominantly small. Avalanche prone locations increase rapidly from the tree line upwards, at higher altitudes increasingly also in south-easterly aspects. They are usually easily recognisable next to blown-off areas. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when walking on the snow cover, snowpack can indicate danger. Terrain traps are less full due to a lack of snow and are therefore more effective.
Snowpack
With warm temperatures, the snow cover was moistened up to around 2000 m and froze overnight to form at least a thin melt-freeze crust; in some areas it is icy next to the fresh drift snow, especially on the sunny slopes. 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
As the wind dies down, the danger within the stage decreases.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Low risk of small, wet avalanches
The avalanche risk is low. Individual small wet 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 on the sunny side and protected from the wind during the day, but otherwise remains hard and icy. Edgy persistent weak layers weaken the snow base, fundament.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Few avalanche prone locations.
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
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
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 to north-east aspects behind ridgelines and terrain edges as well as in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
In the higher elevations, there is fresh and older wind slab snow in the extended north and north-east exposures on an unstable snow cover, snowpack with weak layers of faceted crystals and floating snow. On the sunny slopes, the snow cover, snowpack is mostly settled and quite compact. The snow depths are still below average.
Tendency
Thursday will be mostly sunny with winds from the south.
No change in the avalanche risk is expected.
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.
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.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche danger. Thursday will be mostly sunny and the wind will blow from the south.
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
Little snow, caution in icy and crust can form steep gullies.
The avalanche risk is low. In below-average snow conditions, there is only a local persistent weak layer problem in extremely steep, shady slopes above the tree line. Occasionally, small slab avalanches can be triggered here under great additional load. The risk of falling outweighs the risk of burial. In the entrance area to steep gullies, there are icy spots that increase the risk of falling.
Snowpack
The snow cover, snowpack is well below average for the time of year. In sunny slopes below the tree line, it is mostly icy. In shady slopes and at higher altitudes, the thin snow surface is crusted can form and hard, sometimes even icy. In extremely steep, shady slopes, angular shapes can weaken the snow base, fundament. However, these areas are rare and there is usually only a little snow on top.
Tendency
The avalanche danger remains the same.
The high-pressure weather phase continues. No new fallen snow is expected up to and including Sunday.
