Avalanche.report

Thursday 17.02.2022

Published 16 02 2022, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Wind slabs and gliding snow represent the main danger.

Since Tuesday the wind has been moderate to strong at times. Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow has fallen above approximately 1000 m.
In the next few hours the wind will be strong to storm force in some localities in particular in the regions of the south exposed to the foehn wind. Especially in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation individual small and medium-sized slab avalanches are to be expected. On wind-loaded slopes and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain the likelihood of avalanches is higher.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

The storm force wind will transport the fresh and old snow significantly. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes and generally at elevated altitudes. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together.
The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals, especially on shady slopes. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Wind slabs are to be avoided.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind, easily released wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines as well as at intermediate and high altitudes. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain above the tree line and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The avalanches can reach medium size.
In very isolated cases dry avalanches can also be triggered in the old snowpack, especially on very steep shady slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, this applies in particular in case of a large load. In particular on extremely steep sunny slopes small and medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, has fallen since Monday. The fresh wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the quite favourable surface of an old snowpack on sunny slopes at intermediate altitudes.
In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of a storm force wind, extensive wind slabs will form on Thursday in all aspects. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain above the tree line and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Even single persons can release avalanches easily, including medium-sized ones.
In very isolated cases dry avalanches can also be triggered in the old snowpack, especially on very steep shady slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, this applies in particular in case of a large load.
In particular on extremely steep sunny slopes small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen. The storm force wind will transport the fresh and old snow significantly. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes and generally at elevated altitudes. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together.
The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals, especially on shady slopes. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of a storm force wind, easily released wind slabs will form on Thursday in all aspects. These are to be bypassed as far as possible. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain above the tree line and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can reach medium size in isolated cases. In the south and in the southeast the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger.
In very isolated cases dry avalanches can also be triggered in the old snowpack, especially on very steep shady slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, this applies in particular in case of a large load.
In particular on extremely steep sunny slopes small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Over a wide area 15 to 30 cm of snow has fallen. The storm force wind will transport the fresh and old snow significantly. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes and generally at elevated altitudes. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together.
The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals, especially on shady slopes. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.