Avalanche.report

Tuesday 31 12 2019

Published 30 12 2019, 17:00

Regions
Sexten Dolomites, Eastern Pfunderer Mountains, Durreck Range, Val Müstair Alps, Western Rieserferner Mountains, Langtaufers, Western Deferegger Alps, Schnals Ridge, Ortler Range, Southern Stubai Alps, Ulten Valley, Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern, Saldurn-Mastaun Ridge, Texel Mountains, Gröden Dolomites, Sarntal Alps, Prags Dolomites, Western Pfunderer Mountains


Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2200m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2200m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Persistent weak layer above 2200m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW


The wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in very steep terrain.

Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects above approximately 2200 m. Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. The wind slabs are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. The current avalanche situation calls for careful route selection. In addition there is a danger of gliding avalanches.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind

In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are especially precarious. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, in particular on steep, rather lightly snow-covered east, south and west facing slopes as well as adjacent to ridgelines above approximately 2200 m.

Tendency

Slight decrease in danger of dry avalanches.

Regions
Prealps, Cembra Valley, Bondone and Stivo, Vallarsa, Western Nonsberg Alps, Folgaria - Laverone, Ledro Valley, Eastern Nonsberger Alps, Northern Dolomites of Fiemme, Marzola - Valsugana


Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Gliding snow above 2200m above 1800m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW


The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are in some cases extensive and to be assessed with care and prudence. Even single persons can release avalanches in isolated cases, in particular adjacent to ridgelines. Ski touring and other off-piste activities, including snowshoe hiking, call for meticulous route selection, in particular on steep slopes above approximately 1800 m as well as on wind-loaded slopes. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the icy crust. Below approximately 2000 m mostly small gliding avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

The wind slabs have formed in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. These are in many cases extensive and in some cases prone to triggering. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together. The old snowpack remains in most cases moist.

Tendency

A latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, in particular on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2000 m.