Avalanche.report

Saturday 12.12.2020

Published11 12 2020, 17:00


Danger level

2500m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2500m
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


On steep grassy slopes natural avalanches must be expected. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

On steep grassy slopes gliding avalanches are possible at any time, even large ones. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2500 m. Exposed parts of transportation routes can be endangered. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line.
In very isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach very large size. This applies in case of releases originating from very steep starting zones at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions that have retained the snow thus far, especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, this applies in particular in case of a large load.
The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.

Snowpack

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

As a consequence of the moderate to strong southwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed on Friday, in particular on near-ridge shady slopes. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. This applies at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The somewhat older wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft and its surface consists of surface hoar. Faceted weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack in particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Naturally triggered avalanches and artificially triggered avalanches have confirmed the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. Towards its base, the snowpack is moist, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

The weather effects will bring about a gradual change towards better conditions. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.


Danger level

2500m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2500m
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


On steep grassy slopes natural avalanches must be expected. Fresh wind slabs at high altitude.

On steep grassy slopes gliding avalanches are possible at any time, even very large ones in isolated cases. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2500 m. Exposed parts of transportation routes can be endangered.
The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days can be released, especially by large additional loads, in all aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow barely recognisable, even to the trained eye.
The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area 100 to 250 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Friday. At low and intermediate altitudes a lot of snow is lying. Towards its base, the snowpack is moist, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.
In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. This applies at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The more recent wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. The covering of new snow is fairly homogeneous and has a loosely bonded surface.

Tendency

The weather effects will bring about a gradual change towards better conditions. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Gliding snow


More gliding avalanches are possible. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

More gliding avalanches are possible at any time, even medium-sized ones. Caution is to be exercised in particular on rather lightly snow-covered sunny slopes.
The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Ski touring calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area over a wide area 100 to 150 cm of snow, and up to 200 cm in some localities, has fallen. The new snow of last week has settled to a large extent in all aspects. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly. These are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Towards its base, the snowpack is moist, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.