Fresh wind slabs - Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
The fresh snow and in particular the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force northwesterly wind can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. On extremely steep sunny slopes loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes. Shady slopes are especially critical, in particular between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in the old snowpack and reach dangerously large size.
In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, especially on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 50 cm in some localities, has fallen since Monday. In the Northern Oetz and Stubai Alps, in the Brandenberg Alps and in the Tuxer Alps less snow fell. The wind will be moderate to strong. Avalanche prone wind slabs formed. This applies in all aspects above the tree line. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes and in high Alpine regions. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2600m
2200m
Gliding snow
2400m
The backcountry touring conditions are to some extent precarious.
Fresh wind slabs - Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
The fresh snow and in particular the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force northwesterly wind can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. On extremely steep sunny slopes loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes. Shady slopes are especially critical, in particular between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in the old snowpack and reach dangerously large size.
In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, especially on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
30 to 50 cm of snow, and up to 70 cm in some localities, has fallen since Monday. The wind will be moderate to strong. As a consequence of new snow and wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed in all aspects. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes and in high Alpine regions. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.
Tendency
Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2600m
2200m
The fresh wind slabs are prone to triggering. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.
The fresh snow and in particular the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force northwesterly wind can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep shady slopes above the tree line. Adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent.
Avalanches can in some places be released in deeper layers, even by a single winter sport participant. This applies on steep west, north and east facing slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can in some cases reach dangerously large size.
On extremely steep sunny slopes individual small loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
10 to 20 cm of snow has fallen. Up to 10 cm of snow will fall until the afternoon. The wind will be strong to storm force over a wide area.
As a consequence of new snow and northwesterly wind, wind slabs will form in all aspects. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. They are prone to triggering. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.
Tendency
As a consequence of a sometimes strong southwesterly wind, further wind slabs will form.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2200m
The fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering.
Some fresh snow and very particularly the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force northwesterly wind represent the main danger. The fresh wind slabs are mostly only small but prone to triggering. They can be released even by a single winter sport participant especially on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in places that are protected from the wind and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in deeper layers, even by a single winter sport participant. This applies on steep west, north and east facing slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can reach dangerously large size.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
5 to 10 cm of snow has fallen since Monday. The wind will be strong to storm force.
As a consequence of new snow and northwesterly wind, wind slabs will form in all aspects. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.
Tendency
The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2200m
Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
As a consequence of a storm force wind, further wind slabs will form in all aspects. These are in some cases prone to triggering in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain above approximately 2200 m and in gullies and bowls. The prevalence of these avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Single persons can release avalanches in some places. Mostly these are rather small. Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are to be bypassed in particular in very steep terrain.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The sometimes storm force wind will transport the snow. Above approximately 2200 m snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The fresh and older wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes and generally at elevated altitudes. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals, especially on shady slopes.
Tendency
Wind slabs represent the main danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
As a consequence of a strong northerly wind, sometimes easily released wind slabs formed in the last few days in some localities. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects at elevated altitudes and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are mostly easy to recognise and to be assessed with care and prudence. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads. At lower altitudes and below the tree line the snowpack is well bonded.
Snowpack
At high altitudes and in high Alpine regions less snow than usual is lying. The strong wind has transported the loosely bonded old snow. The mostly small wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. Weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, especially at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.
Tendency
As a consequence of the strong northerly wind there will be an increase in the avalanche danger within the current danger level.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
1900m
The snowpack will be in most cases stable. Fresh wind slabs require caution.
As a consequence of a strong northerly wind, mostly small wind slabs formed in the last few days in some localities. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects at elevated altitudes and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are mostly easy to recognise and to be assessed with care and prudence. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in isolated cases and mostly by large additional loads. At lower altitudes and below the tree line the snowpack is well bonded.
Snowpack
At high altitudes and in high Alpine regions less snow than usual is lying. The strong wind has transported the loosely bonded old snow. The mostly small wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes and generally at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Below the tree line from a snow sport perspective, insufficient snow is lying.
