2019-12-21T16:00:00Z 2019-12-21T16:00:00Z 2019-12-21T23:00:00Z 2019-12-22T23:00:00Z 3 gliding snow drifting snow The backcountry touring conditions remain critical. Ski touring and other off-piste activities, including snowshoe hiking, call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection. Great caution and restraint are advisable. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily. As a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation only isolated dry slab avalanches are possible, in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation in particular on wind-loaded slopes and. Especially below approximately 2200 m small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. 20 to 40 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, has fallen in the last two days above approximately 1800 m. The southwesterly wind has transported the fresh snow significantly. Fresh wind slabs have formed in particular in the regions exposed to precipitation and generally at high altitudes. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack. Fresh wind slabs are extensive and prone to triggering. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The old snowpack will be moist below approximately 2200 m. There is a danger of gliding avalanches, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow in particular below approximately 2200 m. The northwesterly wind will transport the fresh snow. Wind slabs represent the main danger. 2019-12-21T16:00:00Z 2019-12-21T23:00:00Z 2019-12-22T23:00:00Z 3 3 DP6 DP2 drifting snow gliding snow Fresh snow and wind slabs require caution. The backcountry touring conditions remain unfavourable. As a consequence of fresh snow and a strong to storm force wind from southerly directions, easily released wind slabs formed in all aspects. Significant increase in avalanche danger in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Fresh snow and wind slabs can be released, even by a single winter sport participant. Especially from starting zones at higher altitudes medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible. Below approximately 2200 m medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large gliding avalanches are possible. 20 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen in the last two days above approximately 1700 m. The southwesterly wind has transported the fresh snow significantly. Fresh wind slabs have formed in particular in the regions exposed to precipitation and generally at high altitudes. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack. Fresh wind slabs are extensive and prone to triggering. The old snowpack will be moist below approximately 2200 m. Wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence. The conditions are sometimes critical for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities. Gradual decrease in danger below the tree line. 2019-12-21T16:00:00Z 2019-12-21T23:00:00Z 2019-12-22T23:00:00Z 3 2 DP6 DP2 drifting snow gliding snow Further increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of fresh snow and wind. Gliding avalanches and wet snow slides are to be expected. Fresh wind slabs are mostly dangerously large and prone to triggering. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, and elsewhere on very steep shady slopes especially at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Dry avalanches can additionally be released in near-surface layers, even by a single winter sport participant. <br/> As the moisture increases small to medium-sized gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m as well as at low and intermediate altitudes, especially in the regions with a lot of snow. Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell above approximately 1200 m. The fresh and older wind slabs will become increasingly prone to triggering in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. <br/> Faceted weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes, in particular above approximately 2400 m. At low and intermediate altitudes the snow is moist, also on sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m. Increase in danger of dry avalanches as a consequence of fresh snow and wind. 2019-12-21T16:00:00Z 2019-12-21T23:00:00Z 2019-12-22T23:00:00Z 3 2 DP6 DP2 drifting snow gliding snow Fresh wind slabs at high altitude. Gliding avalanches and wet snow slides are to be expected. Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of fresh snow and wind. The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. The avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines above approximately 2000 m. The avalanches are rather small but in many cases easily released. <br/> As the moisture increases small to medium-sized gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes as well as at low and intermediate altitudes, especially in the regions with a lot of snow. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks. The fresh wind slabs will become increasingly prone to triggering in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. At low and intermediate altitudes the snow is moist, also on sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m. Increase in danger of dry and moist avalanches as a consequence of fresh snow and wind. 2019-12-21T16:00:00Z 2019-12-21T23:00:00Z 2019-12-22T23:00:00Z 2 1 DP6 DP2 drifting snow gliding snow Fresh wind slabs require caution. Gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are still to be expected. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines. Such avalanche prone locations are rather rare and are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. The wind slabs will become increasingly prone to triggering especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. The snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes. This also applies on steep sunny slopes at high altitude. Only a little snow is lying. Slight increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of fresh snow and wind.