Surface triggered wind slab snow can activate persistent weak layer problem
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 north-west to north to east. There is a high likelihood that surface-triggered avalanches will tear through to deeper layers. Danger areas are barely 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
New and wind slab snow cover a very different surface: in exposed areas it is marked by the wind, otherwise it is partly encrusted and hard, but also partly still soft. On shady slopes protected from the wind above around 1500 m, surface hoar is also covered with snow in places. Fresh and older/hard wind slabs overlay soft layers of faceted crystals and deep rime. In general, zones with little snow and considerable areas of drift snow are often close together. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. The total snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
Little change at first on Saturday, with new fallen snow and wind exacerbating the wind slab problem towards the evening.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slab snow overlays persistent weak layer problem
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. Especially in the sectors from north-west to north to south-east, slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places. 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
New and windslab snow cover a very different surface: in exposed areas it is marked by the wind and is often crusty and hard. On shady slopes protected from the wind above around 1500 m, surface hoar is also covered in some cases. In the persistent weak layers below, bonded snow overlays soft, angular layers. Fractures occur either in the angular layer near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely built-up old snowpack. In general, areas with little snow alternate with sometimes considerable snowdrift accumulations in a confined space with overall snow depths that are well below average.
Tendency
Little change - combined persistent weak layer problem.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
Treeline
Few avalanche prone locations due to persistent weak layers of snow
The avalanche risk is low. There are small-scale avalanche prone locations due to prone to triggering, fresh wind slabs in the sectors from north to south-east and in steep gullies. Above around 2000 m, small slab avalanches can still be triggered in the persistent weak layer in a few places in the steep terrain looking from north-west 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 slabs. The risk of falling and injury generally outweighs the risk of burial, pay attention in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
New and windslab snow cover a very varied surface: steep sunny slopes below around 1500 m were recently bare. Otherwise, the base is often crusted, sometimes hard, and still soft in wind-protected high altitudes. On wind-protected shady slopes above around 1500 m, surface hoar is sometimes covered with snow. Especially in northern and eastern aspects, bonded snow overlays a weak old snowpack of faceted crystals and deep frost.
Tendency
Little change during the day. However, the onset of snowfall on Saturday afternoon covers up the wind signs from the previous day.
