Saturday 18.12.2021
Published 17 12 2021, 17:00
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer

2000m

Gliding snow

1800m

 

Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence. Gliding avalanches are still to be expected in the second half of the day.
Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can be released in very isolated cases by individual winter sport participants. In some places avalanches can penetrate deep layers and reach large size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes and in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow above approximately 2000 m. Field observations and stability tests show this situation.

Several small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible in particular on very steep sunny slopes.

Experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
Snowpack
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In all regions as well as in all altitude zones a very large amount ofsnow is lying for the time of year. In the last few days on very steep sunny slopes numerous small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized avalanches occurred naturally.
Outgoing longwave radiation during the night was quite good. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise from the middle of the day to increasing softening of the snowpack on sunny slopes in all altitude zones.
Shady slopes: The new snow of last week is lying on soft layers at intermediate and high altitudes. Large-grained weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack in particular on grassy slopes.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in danger of gliding avalanches. The danger of slab avalanches will persist.