Saturday 21 December 2024
Published 20 Dec 2024, 17:00:00
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab

Treeline

Persistent weak layer

2200m

 

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be assessed with care and prudence.
As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong northwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed during the course of the night in particular adjacent to ridgelines on north, east and south facing slopes. The fresh and older wind slabs can be released easily by a single winter sport participant above the tree line. In addition further wind slabs will form adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and generally in the high Alpine regions as the day progresses. Explanation: "these" may only stand for "these avalanches" are rather small.

The older wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. In isolated cases these are medium-sized and can be released also by a single winter sport participant.

Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.
Snowpack
>
10 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell yesterday above approximately 1200 m. As a consequence of the occasionally storm force northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed. 5 to 10 cm of snow will fall until the evening above approximately 1400 m.

The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released in isolated cases by winter sport participants.

Above the tree line there are 60 to 90 cm of snow. In particular at high altitude snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.
Tendency
Sunday: The avalanche danger will increase from midday.