Avalanche.report

Tuesday 19.01.2021

Published18 01 2021, 17:00


Danger level


Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force northwesterly wind, extensive wind slabs formed. As a consequence of a strengthening westerly wind, extensive wind slabs will form above the tree line. Avalanches can over a wide area be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Additionally avalanches can also be released in deep layers and reach large size in isolated cases, this also applies in areas close to the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
Caution and restraint are important.

Snowpack

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

10 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the fresh and old snow. The old snowpack is faceted. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and stability tests confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.

Tendency

Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming.


Danger level


Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


A precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.

As a consequence of a sometimes storm force westerly wind, further wind slabs will form. Avalanches can in many places be released, even by a single winter sport participant. The prevalence of these avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Additionally avalanches can also be released in deep layers, especially in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. These can reach large size. Caution is to be exercised also in areas close to the tree line, as well as below the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise.
Great caution and restraint are important.

Snowpack

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

20 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the snow. The old snowpack is faceted. The brittle wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and stability tests confirm the existence of a weak snowack.

Tendency

Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes, also in areas close to the tree line, as well as below the tree line. Avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach medium size in some cases.

Snowpack

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

As a consequence of the westerly wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack, in particular on shady slopes. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can settle hardly at all.

Tendency

Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger.


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. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase at high altitude and in the high Alpine regions.
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.
Gradual increase in danger of gliding avalanches as a consequence of warming.

Snowpack

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

As a consequence of a sometimes strong northwesterly wind, extensive wind slabs formed in the last few days. The brittle wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers in particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially precarious. Various wind slab layers are lying on soft layers. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.


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 in all aspects. 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. In the north and at elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater.
Gradual increase in danger of gliding avalanches as a consequence of warming.
Caution and restraint are important.

Snowpack

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

As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, extensive wind slabs formed in the last few days in all aspects. The brittle wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and field observations confirm poor snowpack stability.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs require caution.