Weak layers in persistent weak layers are prone to triggering!
The avalanche risk is considerable above around 1800 metres and low below. 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. Remote triggering is also possible in isolated cases. If wind slabs are disturbed near the surface, there is a high likelihood of avalanches breaking through to 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. On sunny slopes, small loose snow slides can spontaneously detach from very steep slopes during the daytime changes.
Snowpack
The snow surface is at least moist up to around 1500 metres, and even higher on sunny slopes. The snow surface can cool down overnight and is crusted can form and hardness in these areas in the morning. Above this and generally on shady slopes, the snow surface is usually still dry, here a bound snow slab of former new or drift snow overlays soft layers (e.g. surface hoar, faceted crystals) or older, hard wind slabs. In general, areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or near the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. Below this crust, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms, which are interspersed with other crusts in areas with more snow. The overall snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
The persistent weak layer problem remains.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Weak layers in persistent weak layers remain prone to triggering
The avalanche risk is moderate above around 1800 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from west to north to east. Avalanches can tear through the persistent weak layer and become medium sized. Some avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise and require a defensive choice of route. In particular, be careful near transitions from little to more snow and in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies. On sunny slopes, small loose snow avalanches can spontaneously break loose from very steep slopes during the daytime changes.
Snowpack
The snow surface is at least moist up to around 1500 metres, and even higher on sunny slopes. The snow surface can cool down overnight and is crusted can form and hardness in the morning. A bound snow slab of former new or drift snow overlays soft layers (e.g. surface hoar, faceted crystals) or older, hard wind slabs. In general, areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or near the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. Below 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 persistent weak layer problem remains.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Weak layers in persistent weak layers remain prone to triggering
The avalanche risk is moderate above around 2000 metres and low below that. Slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from west to north to east. Avalanches can tear through the persistent weak layer and become medium sized. Some avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise and require a defensive choice of route. In particular, be careful near transitions from little to more snow and in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies. On sunny slopes, small loose snow avalanches can spontaneously detach from very steep slopes during the daytime changes.
Snowpack
The snow surface is at least moist up to around 1500 metres, and even higher on sunny slopes. The snow surface can cool down overnight and is crusted can form and hardness in the morning. A bound snow slab of former new or drift snow overlays soft layers (e.g. surface hoar, faceted crystals) or older, hard wind slabs. In general, areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or near the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. Below 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 persistent weak layer problem remains.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Weak layers in persistent weak layer can still be disturbed
The avalanche risk is low. Above around 2200 metres, small slab avalanches can still be triggered 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 as well as in the entrance areas to gullies and bowls filled with wind slab. Some of the avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. The risk of falling and injury generally outweighs the risk of burial, be careful in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
The snowpack has been at least superficially moistened up to around 1500 metres, on sunny slopes even up to the summit areas. The snow surface can cool down overnight and is crusted can form and hardness in the morning. Only on shady slopes can the snow surface still be partially dry and soft or wind-treated. A thin, bound snow slab overlays a weak old snowpack, which now consists mainly of faceted crystals or deep rime. Prone to triggering weak layers are mainly found in the weak old snow foundation.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger and little snow
The avalanche risk is low, there is little snow. Isolated avalanche prone locations are still conceivable on steep, shady slopes leading to wind slab-filled gullies in the summit areas. In general, the risk of injury from stones and the risk of falling on hard or icy surfaces outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
The snowpack is at least superficially moistened up to around 1500 metres, on sunny slopes even up to the summit areas. Overnight, a melt-freeze crust forms on the snow surface, which only softens again during the day. Only on shady slopes can the snow surface still be partly soft and dry or wind-treated. Here, edged persistent weak layers - if present - weaken the thin snow base, fundament.
