Avalanche.report

Thursday 02.12.2021

Published 01 12 2021, 17:00


Danger level

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


Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released easily. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on shady slopes above the tree line. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects. The wind slabs are prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. In particular in the north and in the northeast the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is slightly greater.
Gliding avalanches can also occur, in particular on steep grassy slopes in the regions with a lot of snow.
Experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required.

Snowpack

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

In particular on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the north up to 30 cm of snow has fallen. Some snow will fall in particular in the north.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, in particular on shady slopes above the tree line, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The sometimes storm force wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. The fresh snow and the wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack.

Tendency

As a consequence of low temperatures and the occasionally strong northwesterly wind, the snowpack can not consolidate.