Caution: snowdrift accumulations blanket weak layers of old snow.
With increasing altitude, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. They are blanketed in some places, making them impossible to recognize. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger slab avalanches. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind drops in the terrain. Releases can sweep away deeper layers of the snowpack and grow to medium size. Such danger zones are not visitlbe, particularly on steep shady slopes. Activities in backcountry demand careful evaluation of terrain and dangers, as well as restraint. On sunny slopes, small loose-snow slides can trigger naturally during the course of the day.
Snowpack
Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations from recent days lie atop loose snow at higher altitudes and, particularly on steep shady slopes, on top of a weak old snowpack surface. They are often blanketed, making them impossible to recognize. Avalanche triggerings from explosions and from persons, as well as fractures, confirm how prone to triggering the snowpack is.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will decrease only gradually.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
1700m
The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!
New fallen snow has not adhered well to the old snow base
New fallen snow has put additional load on the weak layers in the old snow cover. Places with blown snow and shady areas where there is a weak layer deep in the snowpack are more dangerous. In particular, at low loads, medium-sized avalanches of packed snow will be possible. A major Avalanche cannot be ruled out. Below 1700 m, gliding avalanches will be possible, especially on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
It snowed on Wednesday and Thursday, with moderate to strong southerly winds at first, which built up in large areas. In total, 20 to 50 cm of snow fell. In the central mountains, snow fell first quite wet and then increasingly dry. Deep and persistent weak layers are present in the old snow cover. The snowpack is unstable in many places. Crust has formed in some places on sunny slopes.
Tendency
It will clear in the high alpine regions, while clouds will remain at lower altitudes. It will be cooler. The danger of Avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Caution: Prone to triggering wind slab and weak persistent weak layer are sometimes difficult to recognise in the terrain
The avalanche risk is considerable above 2000 m and low below. Above around 2000 m, slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places and can be of medium size. The number and size of avalanche prone locations generally increase rapidly above the tree line. Transitions from little to more snow should be consistently avoided. Caution should also be exercised at the entrances to steep gullies and bowls as well as behind the edges of the terrain, where prone-to-triggering snow packs are located. These are sometimes covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches that are triggered close to the surface can tear through to deeper weak layers. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger.
Snowpack
Prone to triggering wind slab snow lies on top of a locally very varied old snow surface, which is covered by 10-20 cm of rather soft new fallen snow. In general, there are often areas in the terrain with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. The older snowdrift accumulations and the old snow surface are in places transformed and soft, in places hard as a board. Below this, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms interspersed with crusts. Fractures usually occur around the uppermost crust, but can also entrain deeper layers.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. The weak layers in the snowpack remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!
New fallen snow has not adhered well to the old snow base
Snow was heavier in the mountains with a strong southerly wind. New fallen snow put additional stress on the weak layers in the old snow cover. Places with blown snow and shady areas where there is a weak layer deep in the snowpack are more dangerous. In particular, at low loads, medium-sized avalanches of packed snow will be possible. A major Avalanche cannot be ruled out.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
It snowed on Wednesday and Thursday, with moderate to strong southerly winds at first, which built up in large areas. In total, 10 to 30 cm of snow fell. In the central mountains, snow fell first quite wet and then increasingly dry. Deep and persistent weak layers are present in the old snow cover. The snowpack is unstable in many places. Crust has formed in some places on sunny slopes.
Tendency
It will clear in the high alpine regions, while clouds will remain at lower altitudes. It will be cooler. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Caution: beware snowdrift accumulations
Small fresh and older snowdrift accumulations in steep ridgeline terrain and behind sharp protruberances in the landscape are prone to triggering. These are often blanketed over, making them impossible to recognize. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger small, in isolated cases medium-sized slab avalanches. Other danger zones occur on extremely steep, mostly shady slopes. In isolated cases there, small avalanches can be triggered in the old snow. Such danger zones occur particularly in transitions from shallow to deep snow, for example, at entry points into gullies and bowls. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall also require caution. On sunny slopes, small loose-snow slides can trigger naturally during the course of the day.
Snowpack
Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations from recent days often lie deposited on top of loosely-packed snow or atop a melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack surface. They are often blanketed over, making them impossible to recognize. The fresh snow from Wednesday night often covered surface hoar. Particularly on steep shady slopes there are still unfavorable intermediate layers inside the old snowpack which have persisted. Small avalanche triggerings and fracture on the surface confirm the trigger-sensitivity of the snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will decrease only gradually.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Persistent weak layer problem! Be especially careful in gullies and bowls in the northern and eastern sectors!
The avalanche risk is assessed as moderate above 1800 metres and low below that. The snow layering is still very weak, especially in the northern and eastern sectors. Here, avalanches can be triggered by even small additional loads and can reach medium size when breaking through the weak old snowpack. Above this, there are sometimes thin pillows of wind drifted snow from the last snowfall. The danger areas are mainly located in the transition from a little to a lot of snow as well as behind terrain edges and in the entrance area of gullies and bowls. The danger spots are often difficult to recognise.
Snowpack
On a very varied old snow surface, there are localised thin pillows of wind drifted snow that are prone to triggering. These are partly covered by soft new fallen snow. In the northern and eastern exposures, the snowpack is still weakened with faceted crystals and floating snow (persistent weak layer problem!). The overall snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche risk is expected.
The high pressure weather will remain in place for the next few days. From today's perspective, the next disturbance will reach us during Tuesday with the potential for some new fallen snow on Wednesday.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Some wind slab on a weak old snow foundation
The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. Above around 2000 m, slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in a few places and can sometimes reach medium size if they tear through the old snowpack. Some of the avalanche prone locations are covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Take particular care in the west, north and east aspects, especially in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls, behind terrain edges and at the transition from little to more snow. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of being swept away and falling should also be taken into account.
Snowpack
On a very varied old snow surface, there are local piles of fresh pillows of wind drifted snow, some of which are prone to triggering. Some of these are covered by soft new fallen snow. In general, there are often areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. Older snowdrift accumulations and the old snow surface are in places transformed and soft, in places hard as a board. Below this, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms interspersed with crusts. Fractures usually occur around the uppermost crust. The total snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. The weak layers in the snowpack remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Older wind slab lies on top of a weak persistent weak layer.
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below it. Persistent weak layers are problematic. In some places, old snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as a slab avalanche by even a small additional load in very steep terrain in the north-west to north to south-east aspects. The number and size of avalanche prone locations increase with altitude. Avalanches can reach medium size if deeper, weak layers are also triggered.
Snowpack
Older snowdrift accumulations lie on soft layers or on a melt-freeze crust, under which crystals, some of which have an angular structure, can be found. The old snowpack usually consists of faceted crystals and is interspersed with several melt-freeze crusts. A thin melt-freeze crust forms on the surface on the sunny slopes overnight. Overall, there is little snow.
Tendency
Slight increase in avalanche danger with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Small drift snow accumulations on weak old snowpack
The avalanche risk is low. In the extended northern and eastern exposures above around 2200 m, small slab avalanches can still be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts in a few places. Danger areas are located at the transition from little to more snow, in the blown-in entrance areas to steep gullies and behind terrain edges. Some of the avalanche prone locations are thinly covered with snow and difficult to recognise. In general, the risk of entrapment, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial, but be careful in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
A few centimetres of new fallen snow covers previously empty areas or a hard, sometimes icy surface of old snow. On shady slopes in particular, small snowdrift accumulations usually overlay a weak old snowpack consisting of an alternation of crusts and faceted crystals or deep rime.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger with mostly little snow.
The avalanche risk is low. In extremely steep gullies or bowls on shady slopes above the tree line, the triggering of small slab avalanches between pillows of wind drifted snow, some of which are prone to triggering, and the persistent weak layer cannot be completely ruled out.
Snowpack
In the middle and higher elevations, new fallen snow has been deposited on an old snowpack that varies greatly from region to region. Angular shapes weaken the snow layering in shady gullies and bowls. In some places, grassy slopes were covered with snow again.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche risk is expected.
The high pressure weather will remain in place for the next few days. From today's perspective, the next disturbance will reach us during Tuesday with the potential for some new fallen snow on Wednesday.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Ski touring is hardly possible in the centre and east.
The avalanche risk is low. Persistent weak layers are problematic in some places. Small, old snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small slab avalanches with a large additional load. The few avalanche prone locations are on very steep slopes in the northern and eastern aspects. The risk of falling and injury is greater than the danger of burial.
Snowpack
Small, old snowdrift accumulations lie on a melt-freeze crust, under which crystals, some of which have an angular structure, can be found. The old snowpack mostly consists of rounded, angular crystals and is interspersed with several melt-freeze crusts. There is little to no snow at lower altitudes and on the sunny side.
Tendency
Slight increase in avalanche danger with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger, but watch out for older wind slabs in the north and east aspects!
The avalanche risk is low. In a few places, pillows of wind drifted snow can be triggered as small slab avalanches, especially in extremely steep and shady gullies and bowls. Avalanche prone locations as well as icy areas are often covered by some new fallen snow. Beware of persistent danger of falling!
Snowpack
There is still significantly less snow than average. A thin layer of fresh snow, only wind-worked in places, is covering the often hard old snowpack or pale areas. Surface hoar could form in places. Small, older pillows of wind drifted snow lie on a thin, crusted old snowpack, especially in shady areas. The connection between them is still poor in places. In addition, angular shapes can weaken the snow base, fundament.
Tendency
Often friendly mountain weather, no significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger, little new fallen snow
The avalanche risk is low. There are isolated thin pillows of wind drifted snow behind the edges of the terrain. Take care in the entrance areas to steep gullies where a hard or icy old snow surface has now been slightly covered. In general, the risk of falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
Depending on the aspect and steepness, up to around 5 cm of new fallen snow and some thin wind slab cover the previously apery soils or the icy old snow surface. Edged persistent weak layers, if present, weaken the thin snow base, fundament.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Only adjacent to ridgelines and at higher elevations is some fresh drift snow possible and local persistent weak layer problems!
The avalanche risk is low. There are still localised avalanche prone locations in the shady and north-facing higher elevations due to the old snow problem. In steep terrain, slab avalanches can be triggered in places by winter sports enthusiasts. Avalanche prone locations are mainly adjacent to ridgelines and behind terrain edges. These are somewhat covered and therefore difficult to recognise.
Snowpack
The old snowpack, which is hard on the surface, is thinly covered and contains crystals without bonds that have been transformed internally. This means that the snow base, fundament is high and weakened, especially on the north and east sides. Only in very exposed areas could there be some small-scale wind slab. In general, there is only a little snow, which is very unevenly distributed.
Tendency
No significant change.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Persistent weak layer problem in the northern and eastern sectors!
The avalanche risk is low. In the northern and eastern exposures, there is still a persistent weak layer problem at higher altitudes. In steep terrain, small slab avalanches can be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts. In general, the risk of entrainment, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial. However, be careful in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
A thin snowpack, sometimes also pillows of wind drifted snow, cover the mostly hard old snowpack. This is weakened on shady slopes by kinetic metamorphism (persistent weak layer problem!). There are faceted crystals between crusts. There is still only a little snow.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche risk is expected.
The high pressure weather will remain in place for the next few days. From today's perspective, the next disturbance will reach us during Tuesday with the potential for some new fallen snow on Wednesday.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger - only isolated avalanche prone locations
The avalanche risk is low. Occasionally, small slab avalanches can be triggered, especially in extremely steep and shady gullies and bowls. Avalanche prone locations as well as icy areas are often covered by some new fallen snow. Beware of persistent danger of falling!
Snowpack
There is still significantly less snow than average. A thin layer of fresh snow, only wind-blown in places, is covering the existing hard old snowpack or pale areas. Angular shapes can weaken the snow base, fundament.
Tendency
The mountain weather will remain unchanged if the high pressure continues. High fog-like layered clouds will reach up to 1500 metres in places. No significant change in the avalanche risk.
