Avalanche.report

Sunday 09.01.2022

Published 08 01 2022, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from variable directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form on Sunday above the tree line. The fresh wind slabs are mostly rather small but prone to triggering. They are to be found in all aspects.
Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. Wind slabs are to be avoided in steep terrain. Dry avalanches can in many cases be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size.
Dry avalanches can additionally in very isolated cases be released in deep layers by large loads. These avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. This applies in particular on extremely steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

Over a wide area 10 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in the course of the day over a wide area. In many cases wind slabs are lying on soft layers. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Somewhat older wind slabs have bonded quite well with the old snowpack.
The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. This applies in particular above approximately 2400 m.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist. Fresh wind slabs require caution.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of a moderate northerly wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last few days above the tree line. Avalanches can in some places be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. Avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on steep west, north and east facing slopes. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are present in all aspects. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are larger. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, and in gullies and bowls. Wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. They are to be bypassed.
Dry avalanches can additionally in very isolated cases be released in deep layers by large loads, especially on extremely steep shady slopes in high Alpine regions at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

In some places various wind slab layers are lying on soft layers. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can settle hardly at all. Wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering, especially on steep shady slopes.
The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes, especially at elevated altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist. Fresh wind slabs require caution.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from variable directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form on Sunday above the tree line. The fresh wind slabs are mostly small but can in some cases be released easily. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. Wind slabs are to be avoided in steep terrain.
Dry avalanches can additionally in very isolated cases be released in deep layers by large loads. This applies in particular on extremely steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. These avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

Somewhat older wind slabs have bonded quite well with the old snowpack. As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in the course of the day in some places. In some places wind slabs are lying on soft layers. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.
The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. This applies in particular above approximately 2400 m.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist. Fresh wind slabs require caution.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from variable directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form on Sunday above the tree line. The fresh wind slabs are mostly rather small but can in some cases be released easily. They are to be found in all aspects. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. Wind slabs are to be avoided in steep terrain.
Dry avalanches can additionally in very isolated cases be released in deep layers by large loads. This applies in particular on extremely steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. These avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

Over a wide area 5 to 15 cm of snow will fall. As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in the course of the day in some places. In some places wind slabs are lying on soft layers. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Somewhat older wind slabs have bonded quite well with the old snowpack.
The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. This applies in particular above approximately 2400 m.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist. Fresh wind slabs require caution.