The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line in the morning and increases to considerable from midday onwards. Below the tree line, the avalanche risk is low. The main problem is fresh wind slab that forms in the afternoon. Small to medium slab avalanches can then be triggered in many places by even a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations are in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north-west, north to south-east aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. They increase in number and size with altitude.
Persistent weak layers are problematic throughout the day. Slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered in transition areas from little to much snow on very steep shady slopes with large additional loads. They reach medium size.
Snowpack
With south-westerly winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations develop at altitude. In many places, they come to rest prone to triggering on surface hoar and soft layers. The old snowpack consists of large, angular and rounded crystals and is partly interspersed with melt-freeze crusts. On the sunny slopes, there is little or no snow at all at medium altitudes.
Tendency
With foehn storms, prone to triggering snowdrift accumulations continue to grow, especially at high altitudes.
EARLIER Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
LATER Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Avoid fresh wind slab!
The avalanche risk is low and increases to moderate from midday as the wind picks up above the tree line. Fresh wind slab becomes problematic during the daytime changes. Small slab avalanches can then be triggered in some places by even a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations are in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north-west, north to south-east aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. The risk of falling and injury is greater than the danger of burial.
Persistent weak layers are problematic all day long. Small slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered on very steep shady slopes with large additional loads.
Snowpack
With south-westerly winds, small, fresh snowdrift accumulations develop at altitude. They come to rest prone to triggering on surface hoar and soft layers. The old snowpack consists of large, angular and rounded crystals and is partly interspersed with melt-freeze crusts. There is little or no snow up to high altitudes on the sunny slopes.
Tendency
With foehn storms, prone to triggering snowdrift accumulations continue to grow, especially at high altitudes.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Usually too little snow for ski tours off the secured pistes.
The avalanche risk is low. Persistent weak layers are problematic. Occasionally small slab avalanches with large additional loads can be triggered. 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
The snow surface is still dry in shady areas, otherwise it often crusts can form. The melt-freeze crust softens again in the sun. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals and is partly interspersed with melt-freeze crusts. There is little to no snow on the sunny slopes.
