Avalanche.report

Tuesday 18 02 2020

Published 17 02 2020, 17:00

Regions
Weißkugel Range, Western Verwall Mountains, Gurgler Range, Eastern Verwall Mountains, Central Stubai Alps, Silvretta, Northern Zillertal Alps, Allgäu Alps, Samnaun Mountains, Venediger Range, Eastern Lechtal Alps - Ammergau Alps, Northern Oetz and Stubai Alps, Mieming Mountains, Western Tuxer Alps, Eastern Tuxer Alps, Western Lechtal Alps, Glockturm Range, Central Lechtal Alps, Grieskogel Mountains


Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2200m, N-NE-E-W-NW


Fresh and older wind slabs at high altitude.

Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. These avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack in little used backcountry terrain. Avalanches can be released, in particular by large loads and reach medium size. Dry avalanches are rather small.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind

The sometimes strong wind has transported some snow. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.
Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, in particular between approximately 2400 and 3000 m.
The wind slabs of the last few days represent the main danger.
The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

Hardly any increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the fresh snow.

Regions
Texel Mountains, Durreck Range, Val Müstair Alps, Langtaufers, Schnals Ridge, Southern Stubai Alps, Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern, Saldurn-Mastaun Ridge


Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2200m, N-NE-NW
Persistent weak layer above 2800m, N-NE-E-W-NW


Wind slabs require caution, in particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. These avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye.
Weakly bonded old snow: In isolated cases avalanches can be released in the old snowpack and reach dangerously large size. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack in little used backcountry terrain.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind

In some regions up to 5 cm of snow. will fall. The fresh and older wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence on steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

The backcountry touring conditions are generally favourable. Moderate, level 2.

Regions
Southern Adamello, Primiero - Pale di S. Martino, Adamello - Presanella, Northern Brenta - Peller, Southern Brenta, Fassa Valley, Sole, Pejo and Rabbi, Southern Lagorai, Northern Lagorai, Latemar, Maddalene, Pine' - Mocheni Valley


Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above the treeline
Danger Level 1 - Low above the treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Gliding snow, N-NE-E-SE-NW


On wind-loaded slopes an unfavourable avalanche situation will persist in some regions.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, sometimes easily released wind slabs formed in all aspects. These are clearly recognisable, especially in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain as well as adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects.
Weakly bonded old snow on north facing slopes. Individual avalanche prone locations for gliding avalanches are to be found in particular at high altitude. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack as well as in shady places that are protected from the wind. Avalanches can be released by large loads and reach medium size.
In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the icy crust.

Snowpack

Some snow will fall during the night in some regions. The fresh wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. These are mostly small. The older wind slabs have bonded well with the old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies in particular above approximately 2300 m. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

The snowpack will be generally stable. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Regions
Sexten Dolomites, Eastern Pfunderer Mountains, Western Rieserferner Mountains, Western Deferegger Alps, Ortler Range, Ulten Valley, Eastern Rieserferner Mountains, Northern Dolomites of Fiemme, Glockner Range, Gröden Dolomites, Eastern Deferegger Alps, Prags Dolomites, Sarntal Alps, Schober Mountains, Western Pfunderer Mountains, Lienzer Dolomites


Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2200m, N-NE-NW


As the temperature drops a widespread favourable avalanche situation will prevail.

Fresh wind slabs require caution. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, especially in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. These places are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Mostly the avalanches are small.
In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind

Some snow will fall in some regions. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are mostly small and can only be released in isolated cases. In some cases relatively hard layers of snow are lying on old snow containing large grains. This applies especially on shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

The backcountry touring conditions are generally favourable.

Regions
Karwendel Mountains, Brandenberg Alps, Western Kitzbühel Alps, Wilder Kaiser Mountains - Waidring Alps, Eastern Kitzbühel Alps


Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 1800m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 1800m, N-NE-E-W-NW


Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind, mostly small wind slabs formed adjacent to ridgelines on northwest, north and northeast facing slopes. Caution is to be exercised in particular on shady slopes as well as adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above approximately 1800 m.
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution, especially on very steep shady slopes as well as on wind-loaded slopes. The avalanches are rather small and can mostly only be released by large loads.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 2: gliding snow

The sometimes strong wind has transported some snow.
Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

Hardly any increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the fresh snow.

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


Danger level
Danger Level 1 - Low
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-NW


Wind slabs require caution.

The mostly small wind slabs of the last few days must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 1800 m and adjacent to ridgelines. These places are rare and are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the icy crust.

Snowpack

More recent wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on very steep shady slopes above the tree line. The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust only at high altitudes. The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

The old snowpack remains stable in all aspects. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.