Avalanche.report

Wednesday 20.01.2021

Published19 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. In addition the hard wind slabs are capable of being triggered. 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.
At low and intermediate altitudes individual gliding avalanches are possible. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Restraint is recommended.

Snowpack

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

As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from southwesterly directions, sometimes easily released wind slabs will form. The brittle wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects. Various wind slab layers are lying on soft layers. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially precarious. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Some snow will fall on Thursday.


Danger level

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


Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be assessed with care and prudence.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily in all aspects. In addition the hard wind slabs are capable of being triggered. This applies above the tree line, as well as in areas close to the tree line. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized.
On steep sunny slopes individual gliding avalanches are possible.
In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Caution and restraint are important.

Snowpack

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

As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from southwesterly directions, further wind slabs will form in the course of the day. The brittle wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack. In particular places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially precarious. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.

Tendency

Some snow will fall on Thursday. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.