The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below. The situation is precarious for winter sports.
On slopes of all aspects, medium-sized slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places. In particular on north-west to north to east-facing slopes above 1800 m, avalanches triggered on the surface can tear through to deeper layers and become large. Danger areas are sometimes barely recognisable and require a defensive choice of route. Be careful in particular near transitions from little to much snow, behind terrain edges, in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls and also in the forest boundary area or in forest aisles. Remote triggering is possible and naturally triggered avalanches can also occur.
Snowpack
In the past few days, around half a metre of new fallen snow has been transported extensively and is very prone to triggering. Fresh and older, over-snowed wind slab snow overlay soft layers of faceted crystals and deep rime. In wind-protected areas, on shady slopes above about 2000 m, on sunny slopes above 2400 m, surface hoar has also been snowed in in places. Fractures occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. In general, areas with little snow alternate with sometimes considerable snowdrift accumulations in a confined space with below-average overall snow depths.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will increase on Thursday with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh wind slab is easy to release.
The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below.
In north-west to north to south-facing slopes, avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places. Above 2000 m, slab avalanches are still possible in persistent weak layers in a few places. Avalanches can reach medium size. 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. Caution should also be exercised at the edge of forests and in forest aisles. Cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate danger. Caution in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
In the past few days, 20 cm to 50 cm of new fallen snow has been transported extensively and is very prone to triggering. A break usually occurs between the last wind slabs and layers of fresh snow, in some cases surface hoar has also been snowed in. At high altitudes, especially in northern and eastern aspects, bonded snow overlays a weak old snowpack of faceted crystals and deep frost.
Tendency
The avalanche risk increases on Thursday with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slab and weak persistent weak layer
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. Especially in the sectors from north-west to north to south, slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places. Avalanches in wind slabs usually remain small. Avalanches that are triggered in persistent weak layers in deep weak layers or tear through these weak layers can reach medium size. Be careful in particular near transitions from little to more snow and in the blown-in entrance areas to steep gullies. Avalanche prone locations are sometimes difficult to recognise and require a defensive route choice. In the areas bordering the "considerable" avalanche prone locations, avalanches are more frequent and can become larger.
Snowpack
The snow surface is heavily treated by the wind and prone to triggering. Within the snowpack, bonded snow overlays soft, faceted layers. In wind-protected, shady areas above about 2000 m, surface hoar has also been snowed in to some extent. Fractures occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely built-up old snow foundation. 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
The avalanche risk increases on Thursday with new fallen snow and wind.
