Caution: snowdrift accumulations blanket weak layers of old snow.
With increasing altitude, older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. They are blanketed and thus, impossible to recognize. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger slab avalanches. Also remote triggerings are possible. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls as well as behind sharp drops in the terrain. Triggered avalanches can sweep away deeper layers of the old snowpack and grow to medium size. Such avalanche prone locations occur particularly on steep shady slopes and are not visible. Activities in backcountry require cautious evaluation of the terrain and avalanche dangers, as well as restraint. On sunny slopes, generally small-sized loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally during the course of the day.
Snowpack
The 5cm of fresh snowfall, locally more, from yesterday and the snowdrifts from previous days lie deposited at high altitudes atop loosely-packed snow and a weak old snowpack surface, particularly on steep shady slopes. The snowdrift accumulations are blanketed, making them impossible to recognize. Avalanches by winter sports enthusiasts, remote triggerings and fractures forming on the snowpack surface 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
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
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
The old snowpack is generally poorly constructed and requires defensive behaviour
The avalanche risk increases rapidly with altitude and is considerable above around 2000 metres and low below. In some places, slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals and can be of medium size. Transitions from little to more snow should be consistently avoided. Caution should also be exercised at the entrances to steep gullies and behind terrain edges, where prone to triggering snow packs are located. These are sometimes covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches that are triggered near the surface in fresh wind slabs can tear through to deeper weak layers. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger. Remote triggering is possible.
Snowpack
The snowpack is highly variable and areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. In general, 10-20 cm of fresh new and drift snow lies on older, mostly hardness wind slabs, which are in the initial stages of kinetic metamorphism. Below this, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms interspersed with crusts. Fractures in the persistent weak layer usually occur around the uppermost crust, but can also entrain deeper layers. The snow depth is well below average at all altitudes.
Tendency
Only a slow decline in avalanche danger. The weak layers in the snowpack remain prone to triggering.
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. In some cases, there is a thin, bound layer from the last snowfall. The danger areas are mainly located in the transition from little to more snow as well as behind terrain edges and in the entrance area of gullies and bowls. Some of the danger spots are difficult to recognise.
Snowpack
The total snow depth is well below average. A thin layer of bound new fallen snow overlays a very variable old snowpack. There is significantly more snow in shady gullies and bowls than on sunny slopes, some of which are partly bare up to 2000 metres. In the northern and eastern exposures, the snowpack is still weakened by layers with faceted crystals and floating snow (persistent weak layer problem!).
Tendency
No change in the avalanche danger is expected.
The weather will temporarily improve on Monday, with bright and sunny leisure weather returning to the mountains. Tuesday will also bring intermittent sunshine, but the wind will pick up considerably. From today's perspective, Wednesday will be unsettled, with new fallen snow also possible.
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 angular crystals can be found in places. The old snowpack usually consists of faceted crystals with rounded edges and is partly interspersed with 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
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
The old snowpack is generally poorly constructed and requires defensive behaviour
The avalanche risk increases rapidly with altitude and is moderate above around 2000 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can only be triggered by individuals in a few places but can reach medium size if they tear through the old snowpack. Some avalanche prone locations are covered in snow and 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
The snowpack is highly variable and areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. Some of these are covered by settled new fallen snow. Older snowdrift accumulations have been transformed in places and are soft, in places hard as a board. Below this, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms interspersed with crusts. Fractures in the persistent weak layer usually occur around the uppermost crust. The total snow depth is well below average. The outgoing longwave radiation at night is reduced.
Tendency
Only a slow decline in avalanche danger. The weak layers in the snowpack remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Caution: beware snowdrift accumulations, they lie deposited atop a weak old snowpack surface
Small-sized older snowdrift accumulations in steep ridgeline terrain and behind sharp drops in the terrain are still prone to triggering. They are blanketed, making them impossible to see. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger generally small-sized avalanches. If these sweep away deeper layers inside the snowpack, the avalanches can grow to medium size in isolated cases. Danger zones for avalanches triggering in the old snow occur especially 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, mostly small-sized loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally during the course of the day.
Snowpack
The 5cm of fresh snow, more locally, from yesterday and the snowdrift accumulations from recent days lie at high altitudes atop a loosely-packed snowpack and an often melt-freeze encrusted surface. Snowdrifts are blanketed, impossible to recognize. The fresh snow from Wednesday often blanketed the surface hoar. Particularly on steep shady slopes, there are often unfavorable intermediate layers inside the old snowpack which have persisted. Analysis confirms how prone to triggering the snowpack is.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will decrease only gradually.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger and lack of snow
The avalanche risk is low. There is very little snow, only in the entrance areas to steep, on shady slopes can there be pillows of wind drifted snow. Otherwise, the danger of injury from stones and falling on icy surfaces outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
On shady slopes and flat ground, traces of settled new fallen snow or thin wind slabs cover the previously apery meadows or icy old snow surface. Edged persistent weak layers weaken the thin snow base, fundament if present.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
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
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Persistent weak layer problem in the high altitudes!
The avalanche risk is low. However, 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 older wind slab on a small scale. In general, there is only little snow, which is very unevenly distributed.
Tendency
No significant change.
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 faceted crystals can be found in places. The old snowpack mostly consists of rounded, angular crystals and is partly interspersed with 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 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
The overall snow depth is well below average. In the middle and higher elevations, there is a thin layer of partly bound new fallen snow on a regionally very varied old snowpack. Angular shapes weaken the snow layering in shady gullies and bowls.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche danger is expected.
The weather will temporarily improve on Monday, with bright and sunny leisure weather returning to the mountains. Tuesday will also bring intermittent sunshine, but the wind will pick up considerably. From today's perspective, Wednesday will be unsettled, with new fallen snow also possible.
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
Often friendly mountain weather, no significant change in avalanche danger.
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 individuals in a few places. Danger areas are located at the transition from little to more snow and generally next to blown-off areas. Some of the avalanche prone locations are thinly covered with snow and difficult to recognise. The risk of falling and injury generally outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
A few centimetres of settled new fallen snow cover previously bare ground 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. The outgoing longwave radiation at night is reduced.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
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. Avalanche prone locations are mainly adjacent to ridgelines and behind terrain edges. In general, the risk of being swept away, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial. However, be careful in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
A thin, partly bound snowpack covers the mostly hardness of the 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 danger is expected.
The weather will temporarily improve on Monday, with bright and sunny leisure weather returning to the mountains. Tuesday will also bring intermittent sunshine, but the wind will pick up considerably. From today's perspective, Wednesday will be unsettled, with new fallen snow also possible.
