15 to 30 cm of new fallen snow with wind on a weak old snowpack! Tricky situation for winter sports in open terrain!
The avalanche risk is considerable above around 1800 metres. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from west to north to east. Fractures can tear through the poorly built-up persistent weak layer. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable and should be assessed defensively. Remote triggering is possible. Take particular care in the transition from a little to a lot of snow and in the snow-covered entrance areas of gullies and bowls.
On sunny slopes, wet slides can come loose from very steep slopes.
Snowpack
The snow that fell in the middle of the week in mostly moderate winds deposited on a poorly built-up old snowpack and formed a bonded layer (board). Fractures can occur within the old snowpack, which often consists of a sequence of melt-freeze crusts and angular forms or deep rime. In addition, existing weak layers at the transition from the overlay to the old snowpack can be disturbed. The snowpack is moistened on the sunny slopes and at lower elevations.
Tendency
Thick patches of high fog will persist below 2000 metres, particularly on the southern side of the Alps. The risk of avalanches is slowly decreasing.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Fresh wind slab on a persistent weak layer
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line. Fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can be triggered in a few places, especially in steep terrain exposed to the east. In the northern and eastern exposures, there is also still a persistent weak layer problem at altitudes above the tree line. If the old snowpack is torn through, the avalanches can sometimes reach medium size. Caution in the area of terrain traps.
Sunny slopes can release wet slides from very steep slopes.
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
Increased clearing on the northern side of the Alps with foehn-like southerly winds. No significant change in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Particularly weak persistent weak layers and older wind slabs are still prone to triggering
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
Older wind slabs are still prone to triggering in higher, steeper areas. There is significantly more snow in shady gullies and bowls than on sunny slopes. Here, the snowpack is moistened by incoming radiation. In the northern and eastern exposures, the old snowpack continues to be weakened by crusts and layers with faceted crystals and floating snow; the persistent weak layer problem remains. There is still significantly less snow than average. The snowpack is moistened on the sunny slopes and at lower elevations.
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
Avalanche Problem
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
Especially on the southern side of the Alps, there will still be persistent patches of high fog below 2000 metres, from which precipitation may fall from time to time. No significant change in the avalanche risk.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
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 few centimetres of new fallen snow or isolated pillows of wind drifted snow are covering 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 continues to be weakened by layers with faceted crystals and floating snow, and the persistent weak layer problem remains.
Tendency
Scattered clearing on the northern side of the Alps with foehn-like southerly winds. No significant change in the avalanche danger.
