Avalanche.report

Wednesday 19 February 2025

Published 18 Feb 2025, 17:02:00


Danger level



Snowdrifts prone to triggering in isolated cases

Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts can be problematic at high altitudes. Small slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found in steep shady ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate consideration.

Snowpack

Nocturnal outgoing short-wave radiation is generating a melt-freeze crust on sunny slopes. On the shady side the snowpack surface is powdery.Isolated freshly-generated snowdrifts at high altitudes are prone to triggering. Older drifts have consolidated. Inside the snowpack at high altitudes there are still layers of faceted crystals, unlikely to trigger. The snowpack fundament is frequently wet. South-facing slopes are becoming increasingly bare of snow.

Tendency

As temperatures rise, wet-snow problems will move into the foreground.


Danger level



Snowpack stable widespread

Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts can be triggered by mostly large additional loading in the old snow, esp. in transitions from shallow to deep snow on steep shady slopes at high altitudes. Possible danger zones in shady, extremely steep high altitude terrain. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate consideration.

Snowpack

Nocturnal outgoing short-wave radiation is generating a melt-freeze crust on sunny slopes, softening up during the daytime hours. On the shady side, the snowpack surface is loose and powdery, the snowpack is stable widespread. More deeply embedded insdie the snowpack are isolated weak layers. The snowpack fundament is frequently wet. South-facing slopes are becoming increasingly bare of snow.

Tendency

As temperatures rise, wet-snow problems will move into the foreground.