Avalanche.report

Monday 18.01.2021

Published17 01 2021, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer


Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be critically assessed.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can in some cases be released easily. As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally as the day progresses.
In particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach large size in some cases. This applies in particular above the tree line.

Snowpack

dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow

The sometimes storm force wind has transported the loosely bonded old snow. The brittle wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers on steep east, south and west facing slopes. Various wind slab layers are lying on soft layers. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.

Tendency

Wind slabs require caution.


Danger level

1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
1800m
Persistent weak layer


A critical avalanche situation will prevail.

The new snow and wind slabs can be released easily, or, in isolated cases naturally in all aspects. In the event of solar radiation this applies in particular on wind-loaded slopes as well as. Avalanches can penetrate deep layers and reach large size. Caution is to be exercised also below the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. In the north the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater. Gliding avalanches can also occur.
Caution and restraint are important.

Snowpack

dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

In the north in some localities up to 10 cm of snow will fall on Monday. The old snowpack is faceted; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. The sometimes strong wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The brittle wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and field observations confirm poor snowpack stability.

Tendency

A critical avalanche situation will prevail. Caution and restraint are important.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline


A sometimes critical avalanche situation will prevail.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily in all aspects. This applies above the tree line, as well as in areas close to the tree line. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. As a consequence of solar radiation individual natural avalanches are possible as the day progresses. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Caution and restraint are important.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow

The strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. The brittle wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers.
Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack have confirmed poor snowpack stability.

Tendency

A critical avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions. Caution and restraint are recommended.