Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrift accumulations can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier, esp. in steep ridgeline terrain, also on slopes behind protruberances in the landscape which are distant from ridgelines where they lie deposited atop a weak fundament, esp. on very steep shady slopes. Avalanches can grow to medium size if they fracture to more deeply embedded layers. Naturally triggered, mostly small glide-snow avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
About 5-10cm of fresh snow is anticipated on shady slopes above 1800-2000m, deposited often atop a loose old snowpack surface. In places the surface hoar will be blanketed. Inside the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorphose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. Snowdrifts can form a slab on the surface above the faceted crystals. On shady slopes loose snow is still evident.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels expected to increase slightly by Friday evening due to 10-20cm of fresh snow
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution: weak layers in old snowpack can trigger in isolated cases
Avalanches can be triggered in the weak layers by one sole skier in some places, particularly on W/N/E facing slopes. Danger zones occur mostly in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls, a on very steep shady slopes above 2200m. In isolated cases avalanches can reach medium size. Attention must be given to the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
More than anywhere else along the Italian border, some snowfall is anticipated. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas. Below 1700m there is hardly any snow on the ground. Inside the snowpack are faceted expansively metamorphosed weak layers, especially on W/N/E facing slopes above 2200m. The snowpack is moist below 2000m.
Tendency
On Thursday-to-Friday, rising avalanche danger due to fresh snowfall and wind
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Slightly increasing avalanche danger levels due to fresh snowfall and newly generated drifts
On Thursday avalanche danger levels will increase to moderate. Fresh snow and newly generated drifts will increase in frequency with ascending altitude, often poorly bonded with the snowpack surface. Triggerings of small-to-medium loose-snow and slab avalanches are possible by the loading of one sole skier. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall need adequate consideration. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches continues to be difficult to assess, for that reason avoid zones below glide cracks.
Snowpack
By Thursday evening, 10-20 cm of fresh snow is expected, deposited atop a well-consolidated old snowpack. On wind-protected shady slopes the fresh snow will blanket the powdery layers, often a breakable or non-breakable wind crust and on steep sunny slopes a melt-freeze crust. In ridgeline and pass areas, fresh snowdrifts will be generated over small areas under the impact of intermittently strong-velocity winds.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels to increase somewhat on Friday, due to fresh snowfall and wind
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2000m
Caution urged in steep shady terrain seldom skied on
Avalanche danger mostly low. Danger zones occur mostly in steep shady terrain above 2200m, in transitions from shallow to deep snow and in areas with shallow snow. Activities in backcountry demand cautious route selection, particularly in shady steep terrain seldom skied on. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering in some places, require attentiveness in steep terrain.The danger of small-to-medium sized glide-snow avalanches continues to be difficult to assess. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Up to 5 cm of snowfall is anticipated, deposited atop a well consolidated old snowpack surface at high altitudes. On shady slopes there are weak layers in the uppermost part of the snow cover or at ground level, these can be triggered in some cases. On wind-protected shady slopes the fresh snow will blanket the powdery layers, often a breakable or non-breakable wind crust and on steep sunny slopes a melt-freeze crust. In ridgeline and pass areas, fresh snowdrifts will be generated over small areas under the impact of intermittently strong-velocity winds.
The snowpack is well consolidated up to high altitudes. Particularly on shady slopes there are weak layers evident which can easily be triggered. Snowpack surfaces are often powdery on shady, wind-protected slopes. Elsewhere there are wind crusts and a melt-freeze crust evident. Elsewhere a wind crust is evident which is often capable of bearing loads, on sunny slopes there is a melt-crust. Small snowdrift accumulations are evident. During the course of the day, the superficially encrusted snowpack will moisten/soften on steep sunny slopes. Small-area fresh snowdrifts have been generated.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels to increase somewhat on Friday, due to fresh snowfall and wind
BEFORE NOON Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2000m
AFTERNOON Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2000m
Moistening of snowpack progresses slowly
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be problematic. Small wet loose snow avalanches can release spontaneously in extremely steep terrain at intermediate altitudes. In addition, it is possible that small glide-snow avalanches trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground where there is still sufficient snow.
Snowpack
At intermediate altitudes the snowpack moistens increasingly down to deeper layers due to comparatively warm temperatures and cloudy skies. Here, the snowpack base is also mostly wet. At high altitude the snow is dry in north aspects. Weak layers in the old snow are now hardly triggerable.
Tendency
As of Thursday avalanche danger can increase somewhat due to new snow.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Slightly increasing avalanche danger. Freshly generated drifts over small areas.
Avalanche danger continues to be low. The small amounts of fresh snow and small-sized snowdrift accumulations are often poorly bonded with the old snowpack surface. Triggering slides, small loose-snow avalanches and the drifts is possible through the loading of one sole skier. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall need due consideration. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches is difficult to estimate. Caution urged below glide-cracks.
Snowpack
By Thursday evening, 10-20 cm of fresh snow is expected, deposited atop a well-consolidated old snowpack. On wind-protected shady slopes the fresh snow will blanket the powdery layers, often a breakable or non-breakable wind crust and on steep sunny slopes a melt-freeze crust. In ridgeline and pass areas, fresh snowdrifts will be generated over small areas under the impact of intermittently strong-velocity winds.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels to increase further on Friday, due to fresh snowfall and wind
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Weak expression of persistent weak layers and gliding snow problems.
Low avalanche danger. Small slab avalanches can be triggered with high additional loads in some places in higher altitudes. Danger spots are found in extreme steep terrain on the transition from little to high amounts of snow in the expositions west via north to east. Spontaneous gliding snow avalanches coming from steep slopes with smooth surfaces are cannot be ruled out.
Snowpack
The snow cover and is predominantly stable. Only in shady slopes in higher altitudes an old snow layer which is weakened by kinetic metamorphosis is found. On sunny slopes surface hoar is formed during the night which will soften during the day. On shady areas the snow on top is often still loose and in exposed areas hard and wind pressed. The snow base is partially moist, gliding movements of the snow cover can not be ruled out. In medium and low altitudes only little amount of snow is found.
Tendency
The avalanche danger is not significantly changing.
Danger level
Avalanches hardly possible, danger zones rare
Weak layers can hardly be triggered. Only in very isolated cases are there danger zones on very steep shady slopes and in transitions into gullies and bowls above 1900m. Avalanche releases tend to be small. Attention must be given to the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall.
Snowpack
Along the Italian border some snowfall is anticipated. Below 1700 m there is hardly any snow. There are faceted expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident inside the old snowpack. The snowpack is moist below 2000m.
Tendency
On Thursday-to-Friday, rising avalanche danger due to fresh snowfall and wind
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Only isolated, small-area danger zones on very steep wind-loaded shady slopes
Avalanche danger is low. Triggering a small slab is possible in only few places, most endangered are shady slopes in very steep terrain above 2000m. In isolated cases a small glide-snow avalanche is possible.
Snowpack
The fundament is weak (faceted crystals beneath crusts) but fracture propagation is unlikely (lacking slab). On shady slopes there is loose snow, on sunny slopes firn conditions are developing. On sunny slopes the layering is stable, gliding snow masses are being observed only seldom.
Tendency
No change expected. By Thursday evening, a bit of snowfall, little wind from today’s point of view.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2000m
Moistening of snowpack progresses slowly
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be problematic. Small wet loose snow avalanches can release spontaneously in extremely steep terrain at intermediate altitudes. In addition, it is possible that small glide-snow avalanches trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground where there is still sufficient snow.
Snowpack
At intermediate altitudes the snowpack moistens increasingly down to deeper layers due to comparatively warm temperatures and cloudy skies. Here, the snowpack base is also mostly wet. At high altitude the snow is dry in north aspects. Weak layers in the old snow are now hardly triggerable.
Tendency
As of Thursday avalanche danger can increase somewhat due to new snow.
BEFORE NOON Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2000m
AFTERNOON Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Gliding snow
2000m
Moistening of snowpack progresses slowly
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be problematic. Small wet loose snow avalanches can release spontaneously in extremely steep terrain at intermediate altitudes. In addition, it is possible that small glide-snow avalanches trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground where there is still sufficient snow.
Snowpack
At intermediate altitudes the snowpack moistens increasingly down to deeper layers due to comparatively warm temperatures and cloudy skies. Here, the snowpack base is also mostly wet. At high altitude the snow is dry in north aspects. Weak layers in the old snow are now hardly triggerable.
Tendency
As of Thursday avalanche danger can increase somewhat due to new snow.
