The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!
New fallen snow in the high alpine regions, weak layers persist.
In particular, even a small additional load can trigger a small avalanche on snowdrift accumulations. A triggered avalanche or an otherwise large Additional load may exceed the load-bearing capacity of the deep hard layers, triggering a deep and widespread (large) avalanche. Such weak layers are particularly abundant in the axis above the forest, but are not excluded elsewhere. Gliding avalanches also occur on steep smooth slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
At slightly warmer air temperatures, the snowpack transforms and collapses more quickly. Snow has melted on the highest peaks on sunny slopes, while only the high alpine regions have remained dry.
The snowpack is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted. The coherence of the layers of blown snow in snowdrift accumulations built up by the southerly wind during the snowfall is weaker.
In the old snow cover, there are several weak layers of faceted snow crystals and sheared grains deep below the surface.
Tendency
The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
Weak layers in persistent weak layers are prone to triggering!
The avalanche risk increases rapidly with altitude from the tree line and is considerable above around 2000 metres. The situation remains precarious for winter sports. Medium-sized slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from west to north to east. There is a high likelihood that surface-triggered avalanches will tear through to deeper layers. Avalanche prone locations are hardly recognisable and require a defensive choice of route. Take particular care near transitions from little to much snow and in the entrance areas to steep gullies.
Snowpack
The surface of the snowpack is crusted or marked by the wind. Fresh and older/hard wind slabs overlay soft layers (surface hoar, faceted crystals). In general, areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. The overall snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
Little change - combined persistent weak layer problem.
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 thus become medium sized. Some avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise and require a defensive choice of route. Take particular care near transitions from little to more snow and in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies.
Snowpack
The snowpack can form a crust in the morning and is also partly wind-blown at high altitudes. Bonded snow overlays soft layers on the surface (e.g. surface hoar, faceted crystals) or older, hard packets of drift snow. In general, areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. The overall snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
The persistent weak layer problem remains.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
Treeline
Still a highly unfavorable snowpack - caution urged towards fresh snowdrifts
Small freshly generated 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 and drifts lie deposited on top of an often melt-freeze encrusted snowpack surface, otherwise atop surface hoar. Especially on steep shady slopes, the often unfavorable base and intermediate layers of the old snowpack have persisted. In zones with rain impact the snowpack is temporarily weakened.
Tendency
As a result of further fresh snowfall and wind, avalanche danger will increase somewhat. Triggerings in the old snow are still possible.
Danger level
1200m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
1200m
New snow
Treeline
Increased amount of new snow in the highest parts of the mid-mountains, snowdrift accumulations
Blowing snow, gliding avalanches.
In particular, even a small additional load can trigger a small avalanche on snowdrift accumulations. Gliding avalanches also occur on steep, smooth slopes.
Snowpack
At slightly warmer air temperatures, the snowpack transforms and collapses more quickly. The snow has melted to the highest peaks - including on the wasps.
The snowpack is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted and mostly well connected. The layers of blown snow are less well connected in snowdrift accumulations built up by the southerly wind during the snowfall.
A depth hoar has formed at the interface between the snowpack and the ground.
Tendency
The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Beware of thinly snow-covered and poorly visible obstacles.
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is wind slab avalanches. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered even with a small additional load. Some avalanche prone locations are located above the tree line on steep slopes with aspects from north-west to north to east, as well as in snow-covered gullies and bowls.
Occasionally, medium slab avalanches can also be triggered in persistent weak layers. This is particularly conceivable on very steep shady slopes above 1600 m with a high additional load, for example if a small superficial avalanche breaks through to deeper, weak layers.
Snowpack
Some of the fresh wind slab lies on surface hoar, soft powder or thin wind and melt-freeze crusts prone to triggering on the old snow surface. Poor snow cover test results indicate that it is still possible to trigger snow slabs in deeper, built-up layers at higher elevations (above approx. 1500 metres). On the south side, there is often no closed old snowpack up to the higher elevations. Overall, there is little snow.
Tendency
The risk of avalanches increases further with precipitation and wind.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
Treeline
Caution: small fresh snowdrift accumulations
A single winter sports enthusiast can trigger small slab avalanches in some places, particularly on high-altitude steep shady slopes and in extremely steep terrain. If releases then sweep away deeper weak layers of the snowpack, the avalanche can in isolated cases grow to medium size. In high-altitude ridgeline terrain, small snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering.
Snowpack
A small amount of fresh snow and drifts lie deposited on top of an often melt-freeze encrusted snowpack surface, otherwise atop surface hoar. Especially on steep shady slopes, the often unfavorable base and intermediate layers of the old snowpack have persisted. In zones with rain impact the snowpack is temporarily weakened.
Tendency
As a result of more fresh snowfall and wind, avalanche danger will increase somewhat.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Persistent weak layer problem!
The avalanche risk is moderate at higher altitudes. Medium slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered here in steep terrain even with a small additional load. Attention should be paid to steep slopes adjacent to ridgelines, transitions from little to more snow as well as steep gullies and bowls, mainly in the northern and on-shady slopes. On sunny slopes, small spontaneous loose snow avalanches from very steep slopes are possible during daytime changes.
Snowpack
The snowpack can partially harden on the surface overnight, but then opens up and still contains thin melt-freeze crusts. Faceted crystals, some of which are floating snow, are still embedded in the snow base, fundament on the north and shady slopes at higher elevations. The recently formed wind slab binds better. The snowpack is very unevenly distributed, with little snow even at higher elevations.
Tendency
No significant change.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Weak layers in persistent weak layers remain prone to triggering
The avalanche risk is moderate above around 1800 metres and low below. There is still a persistent weak layer problem. The avalanche prone locations are limited but still difficult to recognise. These are mainly located on north to east-facing slopes above 1900 metres. Here, slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in some places. Medium-sized avalanches are possible when breaking through the weak old snowpack. Small loose snow slides are possible at medium altitudes.
Snowpack
The snow cover is prone to triggering in places in higher, steeper areas in the transition to the old snowpack due to soft layers such as snow-covered surface hoar. There is significantly more snow in shady gullies and bowls than on sunny slopes. 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.
Tendency
Towards the middle of the week, clouds from a warm front will replace the sunshine and bring local rain or snow showers with a snowfall level of around 1500 metres.
No significant change in the avalanche risk.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Few avalanche prone locations due to persistent weak layers of snow
The avalanche risk is low. Above around 2000 metres, small slab avalanches can still be triggered in a few places in the steep terrain looking from northwest to north to east. 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. The risk of falling and injury generally outweighs the risk of burial, be careful in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
The snowpack is often encrusted on the surface, only in wind-protected, high altitudes on shady slopes is the snow still dry and soft. Particularly in northern and eastern aspects, bonded snow partially 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.
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 steep terrain, avalanches can be triggered in a few places. However, even if the old snowpack is torn through, the avalanches usually remain small. In general, the risk of entrainment, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial. However, be careful 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 layer partially covers a very variable and mostly hard or crusted can form 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 down to the foundations, and the persistent weak layer problem remains.
Tendency
Thick patches of high fog will persist below 2000 metres, particularly on the southern side of the Alps. On the northern side of the Alps, these may clear in foehn-like southerly winds. No significant change in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Usually too little snow for ski tours off the secured pistes.
The avalanche risk is low. Fresh wind slabs are problematic above the tree line. Occasionally, small snow slabs can be triggered in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north-west, north to east aspects. The risk of falling and injury is greater than the danger of burial.
Occasionally, small snow slabs can also be triggered in persistent weak layers. This is particularly conceivable on very steep shady slopes above 1600 metres with a high additional load.
Snowpack
Small, fresh snowdrift accumulations lie partly prone to triggering on surface hoar, soft powder or prone to triggering, thin wind and melt-freeze crusts on the old snow surface. Poor snow cover test results indicate that snow slab release is still possible in deeper, built-up layers at higher elevations (above approx. 1500 metres). On the south side, there is often no closed old snowpack in the higher elevations. Overall, there is little snow.
Tendency
Avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
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 little snow. The snowpack is mostly moist or crusted can form, but in the higher elevations, angular snow crystals are still weakening the stability on shady slopes.
Tendency
Extensive cloud fields in most regions will only allow a little sunshine in between. It will remain mild. No change in the avalanche risk is expected.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger and little snow
The avalanche risk is low. Isolated avalanche prone locations are still conceivable in steep, on 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 snow cover is low, steep sunny slopes are often bare. Where there is snow, the snow surface is often encrusted and only in wind-protected, on shady slopes is it still soft in places. Edged persistent weak layers weaken the thin snow base, fundament if present.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Increased amount of new snow in the highest parts of the mid-mountains, snowdrift accumulations
Blown snow
In particular, the additional load of snowdrifts built up by the SE wind may trigger a small, cumulonimbus avalanche.
Snowpack
The snowpack is moist throughout its entire thickness and is already well bonded. South and south-easterly winds have built up on the leeward sides of the ridges.
Tendency
The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Low avalanche danger with mostly little snow.
The avalanche risk is low. Small slab avalanches can be triggered in steep gullies and bowls in isolated places at high altitudes. Avalanche prone locations are covered by a thin layer of snow and are often difficult to recognise. 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
There is still little snow. The snowpack is damp or crusted can form in places. In the higher elevations, however, angular snow crystals are still weakening the stability on shady slopes. Above this, in the extended eastern sector, there may also be a thin, bound layer, which in some cases is not well bonded to the old snowpack.
Tendency
Thick patches of high fog will persist below 2000 metres, particularly on the southern side of the Alps. On the northern side of the Alps, these may clear in foehn-like southerly winds. No significant change in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Persistent weak layer problem!
The avalanche risk is low. Mostly small slab avalanches can be triggered occasionally in steep terrain by even a small additional load. Attention should be paid to steep slopes adjacent to ridgelines, transitions from little to more snow and steep gullies, mainly in the northern and on shady slopes. On sunny slopes, small spontaneous loose snow avalanches from very steep slopes are possible during daytime changes.
Snowpack
The snowpack can partially harden on the surface overnight, but then opens up and still contains thin melt-freeze crusts. Faceted crystals, some of which are floating snow, are still embedded in the snow base, fundament on the north and shady slopes at higher elevations. The recently formed wind slab binds better. The snowpack is very unevenly distributed, with little snow even at higher elevations.
