Danger level

1500m

New snow		1500m
Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		Treeline
New snow		1500m

The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!

Large amount of new snow, snowdrift accumulations and a weak layer in the old snow cover.

In the mountains, the last snow episode above about 1500 m saw a significant amount of new snow fall. Lower down, it snowed partly (wetter snow) and rained partly. More dangerous are the places where south winds have built up large snow drifts. In shaded areas, there is a weak layer deep in the snowpack. Spontaneous avalanches are still possible, possibly larger ones. Gliding avalanches are possible. In the current conditions, we advise against visiting the high alpine regions!

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

The weak snowpack of previous snowfalls has received a greater amount of snow, and the new snow is poorly bonded to the old base. In the last two-day snow episode, 70-100 cm of New fallen snow fell in the high alpine regions, possibly more than one metre. South winds have built up new large drifts on the leeward sides of ridges. Deep and persistent weak layers are present in the old snow cover. The snowpack is unstable.

Tendency

Conditions will remain challenging in the days ahead.

Danger level

1500m

New snow		1500m
Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		Treeline
New snow		1500m

The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!

New fallen snow, blowing snow and weak layers in the snowpack in the high alpine regions

In the mountains, the last snow episode above about 1500 m saw a significant amount of new snow fall. Lower down, it snowed partly (wetter snow) and rained partly. More dangerous are the places where south winds have built up large snow drifts. Spontaneous avalanches will occur. Gliding avalanches are possible. Current conditions in the mountains are challenging.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

The weak snowpack of previous snowfalls has received a greater amount of snow, and the new snow is poorly bonded to the old base. During the last two-day snow episode, around 50 cm of new fallen snow fell in the high alpine regions, possibly more locally. South winds have built up new large drifts on the leeward sides of ridges. Deep and persistent weak layers are present in the old snow cover. The snowpack is unstable in many places.

Tendency

Conditions will remain challenging in the days ahead.

Danger level

2200m

Persistent weak layer		2200m
Persistent weak layer		2200m
Wind slab		2000m

Weak old snowpack layers persist.

Marked weak layers in the old snowpack can still easily be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast, especially above 2200m on steep, little-skied on slopes. The danger zones are not visible. Remote triggerings are possible. Fresh snowdrift accumulations occur increasingly in ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Avalanches which release can fracture to deeper layers in the old snowpack and grow to medium size. Whumpf noises and fractures when treading on the surface are alarm signals. Activities in backcountry demand careful evaluation of the terrrain and assessment of the dangers. Restraint is advised.

Snowpack

A small amount of fresh snow blankets older, generally somewhat stabilized snowdrift accumulations. The often lie deposited on loosely-packed snow at higher altitudes and atop a weak old snowpack surface (particularly on steep shady slopes). Avalanches triggered by winter sports enthusiasts confirm how prone to triggering the snowpack is.

Tendency

Weak layers in the old snow still prone to triggering

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer

1800m

New and windslab snow on very weak old snowpack

The avalanche risk is considerable above around 1800 metres and low below. The situation is precarious for winter sports. Heat input leads to a better formed slab. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered remotely in some places, especially from west to north to east. This is particularly the case on the borders with neighbouring countries; inland, avalanche prone locations decrease with the amount of fresh snow. Fractures between new and windslab snow can tear through the persistent weak layer and tend to propagate. Avalanche prone locations in the persistent weak layer are barely recognisable and require a defensive choice of route.

Snowpack

Locally there is up to 30 cm of mostly soft new fallen snow on the wind-treated snow surface. Areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations, some of which are as hard as a board and some of which are already being built up. Breaks usually occur between the fresh and slightly older layers of new or drift snow and near the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. Under this crust, the old snowpack consists mainly of deep rime and angular forms, which are interspersed with other crusts in areas with more snow. On the ground, snow from early winter can sometimes be found in the form of a hard melt-freeze crust.

Tendency

The wind slab problem is slowly improving, but the persistent weak layer problem remains.

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer

Treeline

15 to 30 cm of new fallen snow with wind on a weak old snowpack! Tricky situation for winter sports in open terrain!

15 to 30 cm of new fallen snow was deposited on a soft snow surface or surface hoar under moderate to strong winds. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered in some places. Naturally triggered avalanches and remote triggering are also possible. Fractures can tear through the poorly built-up persistent weak layer. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable and should be assessed defensively. Take particular care in the transition from a little to a lot of snow and in the blown-in entrance areas of gullies and bowls.

Snowpack

Due to 15 to 30 cm of new fallen snow and moderate to strong winds, fresh drift snow packs have formed, some of which have been deposited on surface hoar or a soft snow surface. Fractures usually occur at the transition from new fallen snow to old snowpack or within the old snowpack. Between melt-freeze crusts, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms.

Tendency

On Friday, there will be a brief intermittent high with some sunny spells. In the afternoon, it will start to get cloudy again from the west. The avalanche danger decreases slightly.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Fresh wind slab forms snow slab on weak old snowpack

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line. The situation is precarious for winter sports. Medium-sized slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from west to north to east, but also in a few places in the southern sector. If wind slabs are disturbed near the surface, there is a high likelihood of avalanches breaking through into deeper layers. The old snowpack is poorly built up across the board: Avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable and require a defensive route choice. In particular, be careful near transitions from a little to a lot of snow and in the entrance areas to steep gullies. Remote triggering is possible in isolated cases.

Snowpack

A soft snow surface and surface hoar were overlaid by a strong southerly foehn with fresh wind slab. In the past 24 hours, up to 25 cm of snow fell on top of this again, with less and less wind influence towards the end of the precipitation. In general, areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations, some of which are as hard as a board and some of which are already building up. Breaks usually occur between the fresh and slightly older layers of drift snow or near the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. Under this crust, the old snowpack consists mainly of deep rime and angular forms, which are interspersed with other crusts in areas with more snow. On the ground, snow from early winter can sometimes be found in the form of a hardness melt-freeze crust.

Tendency

The wind slab problem is slowly improving, but the persistent weak layer problem remains.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer		2000m
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Take care when entering gullies and bowls!

The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. The main problem is wind slab. Slab avalanches can be triggered sporadically with little additional load. Avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines in steep terrain with aspects from northwest to north to east as well as at the entrance to gullies and bowls. They increase in number and size with altitude. Avalanches can become medium-sized - when they tear through deeper weak layers in the persistent weak layer.

Snowpack

With mild temperatures, the snowpack is increasingly settling. Older and fresh wind slabs lie on soft layers and surface hoar in places. The old snowpack often consists of faceted crystals and is partly interspersed with melt-freeze crusts. There is only a little snow on the sunny slopes At higher elevations, there are a few centimetres of moist new fallen snow on an old snowpack that has often crusted can form. Smaller drift snow packs are now compact and largely stable. The snowpack base often consists of angular, gritty snow. Fracture propagation over larger areas is not to be expected with the overall low-stress and low-thickness snowpack.

Tendency

With foehn storms, prone to triggering snowdrift accumulations continue to grow, especially at high altitudes.

Danger level

1500m

New snow		1500m
Wind slab		1500m
Wet snow		1500m

Increased amount of new snow in the highest parts of the mid-mountains, snowdrift accumulations

More new fallen snow and snowdrift accumulations in the highest parts of the Central Mountains

In the mountains, a significant amount of new snow has fallen over the last two days above an altitude of around 1500 m. Lower down, it has snowed partly (wetter snow) and rained partly. Winds from the south and south-east have built up snow drifts on the leeward sides, which can be a danger.

Snowpack

The old snow cover, which was mostly sparse, received 50-60 cm of New fallen snow above an altitude of around 1500 m, and more locally, especially in the south of the country. Winds from the south and south-east have built up drifts on the leeward sides of ridges.

Tendency

The situation in the coming days will remain similar.

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer		1800m

New and wind slab snow on weak old snowpack

The avalanche risk is moderate above around 1800 metres and low below. The situation is precarious for winter sports. Heat input leads to a better formed snow slab. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from west to north to east, but also in a few places in the southern sector. Fractures in the fresh wind slab can tear through the persistent weak layer and tend to propagate. Avalanche-prone locations in the persistent weak layer are barely recognisable and should be assessed defensively. The regions close to the border with fresh snow tend to be more dangerous.

Snowpack

Locally there is up to 20 cm of mostly soft new fallen snow on the wind-treated snow surface. Areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations, some of which are as hard as a board and some of which are already building up. Breaks usually occur between the fresh and slightly older layers of drift snow or near the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. Under this crust, the old snowpack consists mainly of deep rime and angular forms, which are interspersed with other crusts in areas with more snow. On the ground, snow from early winter can sometimes be found in the form of a hardness melt-freeze crust.

Tendency

The wind slab problem is slowly improving, but the persistent weak layer problem remains.

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer

Small amounts of fresh snow blanket small snowdrift accumulations

A single winter sports enthusiast can trigger small slab avalanches in some places, particularly in ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. If releases then sweep away deeper weak layers of the snowpack, the avalanche can in isolated cases grow to medium size. Danger zones are impossible to spot. Whumpf noises and fractures forming on the surface are alarm signals.

Snowpack

A small amount of fresh snow blankets older, generally somewhat stabilized snowdrift accumulations. The often lie deposited on loosely-packed snow or surface hoar or a melt-freeze encrusted surface. On steep slopes, unfavorable ground-level and intermediate layers inside the old snowpack persist in many places.

Tendency

Unfavorable snow base and intermediate layers will persist.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Fresh, prone to triggering wind slab snow on a weak old snowpack

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. Heat input leads to a better formed slab. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from west to north to east, but also in a few places in the southern sector. Fractures in the fresh wind slab can tear through the persistent weak layer and tend to propagate. Avalanche prone locations in the persistent weak layer are barely recognisable and require a defensive choice of route. Take particular care near transitions from a little to a lot of snow and in the blown-in entrance areas to steep gullies.

Snowpack

A few centimetres of mostly transported new fallen snow lies on the wind-treated snow surface. Some of the new snow and wind slabs have been deposited on surface hoar. In general, areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations, some of which are as hard as a board and some of which are already being transformed. Breaks usually occur close to the crust, which forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. Under this crust, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms, which are interspersed with further crusts in areas with more snow. The overall snow depth is well below average.

Tendency

The wind slab problem is slowly improving, but the persistent weak layer problem remains.

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer		Treeline
Wind slab		Treeline

Persistent weak layer problem in northern and eastern sectors, covered by fresh wind slab!

The avalanche risk is assessed as moderate above the tree line and low below. There is still a persistent weak layer problem in the northern and eastern exposures. In addition, fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can be triggered as small slab avalanches by low additional loads. Medium-sized slab avalanches are also possible when breaking through the weak old snowpack. 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. The avalanche prone locations are often difficult to recognise.

Snowpack

Up to 15 centimetres of new fallen snow was deposited on a soft snow surface in places due to strong winds, and on surface hoar in sheltered locations. As a result, there is a bound layer of fresh wind slab and new fallen snow. This covers a very variable and mostly hard old snowpack. There is significantly more snow in shady gullies and bowls than on sunny slopes. In the northern and eastern exposures, the snowpack continues to be weakened by crusts and layers with faceted crystals and floating snow, and the persistent weak layer problem remains. There is still significantly less snow than average.

Tendency

On Friday, there will be a brief intermittent high with some sunny spells. In the afternoon, it will start to get cloudy again from the west. No change in the avalanche danger is expected.

Danger level

2000m

Wind slab		2000m
Persistent weak layer		2200m

Still a highly unfavorable snowpack

Older snowdrift accumulations can still be triggered. Marked weak layers in the old snowpack can be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast, particularly on steep, little skied on slopes. The danger zones are not visible. Whumpf noises and fractures when treading on the surface are alarm signals. Activities in backcountry demand careful evaluation of the terrrain and assessment of the dangers.

Snowpack

A small amount of fresh snow blankets older, generally somewhat stabilized snowdrift accumulations. The often lie deposited on loosely-packed snow or surface hoar and atop a weak old snowpack surface at higher altitudes (particularly on steep shady slopes).

Tendency

Weak layers in the old snow can still be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast.

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 at high altitudes, old and fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small slab avalanches in steep and shady gullies and bowls. Due to icy surfaces, the risk of falling is greater than the avalanche risk in many places.

Snowpack

There is still significantly less snow than average. Due to the rain and warmth, the snowpack is superficially moistened and partly icy at higher elevations. At the highest elevations, small, fresh pillows of wind drifted snow have formed on the north and east sides. Where there is a snow base, fundament (shady areas at high altitudes), angular snow crystals are still weakening the stability of the snowpack.

Tendency

In the night into Saturday and over the weekend, it will be changeable with sunshine, partly dense clouds and a few showers. However, there are no signs of any significant amounts of new snow. The avalanche risk remains low.

Danger level

2000m

Wind slab		2000m
Persistent weak layer		2200m

Small drift snow accumulations on weak old snowpack

The avalanche risk is low. Above around 2200 m, small slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in a few places in the west to north to east sector. 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 difficult to recognise. The risk of falling and injury generally outweighs the risk of burial.

Snowpack

On shady slopes in particular, small snowdrift accumulations overlay a weak old snowpack, which now consists mainly of faceted crystals or deep rime. Otherwise, the surface is partly hard and icy.

Tendency

No significant change in avalanche danger.

Danger level

1600m

Persistent weak layer

1600m

Occasional layers in persistent weak layers are prone to triggering

The avalanche risk is low. Occasional small slab avalanches can be triggered, in particular with large additional loads. Avalanche prone locations are located above around 1600 m on extremely steep shady slopes. The risk of falling and injury is greater than the danger of burial.

Snowpack

At higher elevations, there are a few centimetres of moist new fallen snow on an old snowpack that has often crusted can form. Smaller drift snow packs are now compact and largely stable. The snowpack base often consists of angular, gritty snow. Fracture propagation over larger areas is not to be expected with the overall low-stress and low-thickness snowpack.

Tendency

Avalanche danger remains low.

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 small pillows of wind drifted snow. Otherwise, the danger of injury from stones and falling on icy surfaces outweighs the risk of burial.

Snowpack

The snow surface is easily soaked, on shady slopes it is often hard and icy. Edged persistent weak layers weaken the thin snow base, fundament if present.

Tendency

No significant change in avalanche danger.

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer

Treeline

Low avalanche danger with mostly little snow.

The avalanche risk is low. In a few places, especially in locations above the tree line, snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small slab avalanches in steep gullies and bowls. Avalanche prone locations and icy areas can be covered with a thin layer of fresh snow. Small, wet slides cannot be ruled out at altitudes below 1500 metres.

Snowpack

There is still significantly less snow than average. A thin, partly bound snowpack covers a very variable and mostly hard old snowpack. In shady gullies and bowls, the connection between the bound snowpack and the old snowpack is sometimes poor. In addition, angular shapes can weaken the snow base, fundament.

Tendency

On Friday, there will be a brief intermittent high with some sunny spells. In the afternoon, it will start to get cloudy again from the west. No change in the avalanche danger is expected.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer

1800m

Persistent weak layer problem in the high altitudes!

The avalanche risk is low. There are still avalanche prone locations due to the constant problem of old snow, especially in the high areas on the north and shady slopes. In places, slab avalanches can be triggered by just one person in steep terrain. Avalanche prone locations are mainly adjacent to ridgelines and behind terrain edges. These are somewhat covered and therefore difficult to recognise.

Snowpack

The snow base, fundament contains faceted crystals without bonds, which are mainly transformed on the north and on shady slopes. The old snowpack, weakened as a result, is often hard on the surface and covered by a thin settled layer. Only in very exposed areas could there be some older wind slab on a small scale. In general, there is little snow, which is very unevenly distributed.

Tendency

No change.

Danger level

Low avalanche danger, very little snow.

The avalanche risk is low. Occasional small, spontaneous wet snow slides can occur. There is a risk of falling on icy sections.

Snowpack

There is still significantly less snow than average. The thin snowpack is mostly wet or icy.

Tendency

In the night into Saturday and over the weekend, it will be changeable with sunshine, partly dense clouds and a few showers. However, there are no signs of any significant amounts of new snow. The avalanche risk remains low.

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer

Treeline

Low avalanche danger, but persistent weak layer problems in the northern and eastern exposures!

The avalanche risk is low. In the northern and eastern exposures, there is still a persistent weak layer problem at altitudes above the tree line. In addition, the strong to stormy southerly winds have created fresh pillows of wind drifted snow. In steep terrain, these can be triggered in a few places. However, the avalanches remain small even if they tear through to the old snowpack. In general, the risk of entrainment, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial. However, be careful in the area of terrain traps.

Snowpack

There is still significantly less snow than average. A thin, partly bound snowpack covers a very variable and mostly hard 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

On Friday, there will be a brief intermittent high with some sunny spells. In the afternoon, it will become cloudy again from the west. Some new fallen snow is expected in the north-west in the night to Saturday. No change in the avalanche risk is expected on Friday.