Wet loose-snow avalanches expected. Weak layers in old snow require caution, esp. in southern regions
Due to solar radiation, increasingly frequent generally small-sized wet loose-snow avalanches are anticipated, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes and in starting zones which have not yet discharged. Avalanches are triggerable by persons in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facng slopes above 1800m, releases generally medium-sized. Danger zones are difficult to recognize. Isolated whumpf noises are an indicator of danger. Isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Sunny slopes: Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, a surface crust forms during the nocturnal hours. Solar radiation leads to significantly moister snowpack, esp. on extremely steep slopes. The fresh snow lies atop an unfavorable snowpack on W/N/E facing slopes above 1800m.
Tendency
Wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger in starting zones which have not yet discharged
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wet snow
2800m
Assess steep shady slopes above 2400m with caution
Avalanche danger above 2400m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size where snow is sufficient or if fractures down to more deeply embedded layers occur. Danger zones occur esp. on NW/N/E facing slopes, esp. near ridgelines and behind protruberances in the terrain and at entries into steep gullies and bowls. Danger zones often blanketed, making them difficult to recognize. Avalanches in the old snow above 2200m are isolated, possible only in extremely steep terrain on north-facing slopes. During the course of the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected in all aspects, releases will be generally small-sized. On steep grass-covered slopes, very isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The fresh snow has been deposited on steep shady slopes above 2400m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack which is prone to triggering in places. Weak layers in the lowermost part of the snowpack are no longer likely to trigger. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes, the bonding of fresh fallen snow to the old snowpack is generally good, the surface moistens during the daytime, forms a thin melt-freeze crust at night - not capable of bearing loads - and can forfeit bonding.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, likelihood of persistent weak layers triggering will recede, but wet-snow problem will intensify
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution: weak layers in old snow.
Isolated avalanches can be triggered in the weak old snowpack be persons, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow in regions where strong winds are blowing. Isolated whumpf noises are indicators of imminent danger. Older snowdrifts can in isolated cases be triggered esp. on shady slopes above 2200m, releases mostly small-sized. Due to solar radiation, mostly small moist loose-snow avalanches are possible below 2600m, esp on extremely steep sunny slopes. Pay attention to runout zones.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Inside the snowpack are expansively metamorphosed, faceted weak layers, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes above 2200m. The older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop soft layers on wind-protected shady slopes. Sunny slopes: due to low temperatures and low air moisture, a melt-freeze crust forms on the surface during the night. Solar radiation will lead to significant moistening of the snowpack.
Tendency
Wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger in starting zones which have not yet discharged
BEFORE NOON Danger level
AFTERNOON Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
The avalanche danger is increasing during the course of the day.
Avalanche danger is in general low in the morning but will increase to moderate during the course of the day in areas with high amounts of snow on sunny slopes. Loose wet-snow avalanches which could be triggered in extremly steep, rocky slopes can be sponaneously triggered. Thes avalanches are mostly small to medium sized.
Snowpack
The snow base has settled and is predominantly stable. The snow surface is mostly icy or with hoar. On top of that is a powder-like layer in high altitudes. The surface in sunny areas gets quickly moist and wet. During the night the snow cover can cool down and solidify.
Tendency
The sunny high-pressure system weather will last throughout the whole week. The avalanche danger will decrease.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1800m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Beware falls on frozen snowpack surface
Avalanche danger is low. Main problem: wet snow. On extremely steep sunny slopes, isolated small loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. In isolated cases, small, older snowdrift patches are prone to triggering. Danger zones lie at high altitudes in extremely steep ridgeline terrain on north-facing slopes. 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
On shady slopes there is dry powder atop a melt-freeze crust at intermediate altitudes. Near ridgelines there are older, brittle snowdrift accumulations which are prone to triggering in places. On sunny slopes the ground is bare of snow up to high altitudes, what snow remains is melt-freeze encrusted and stable in the early morning hours. Due to solar radiation, bonding in the near-surface snow will dissolve, it will turn to firn snow and the process of moistening will continue.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated over the next few days
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Favorable conditions
Avalanche danger is low. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent moist slides are possible.
Snowpack
Recent fresh snow and drifts are now well bonded with the old snowpack surface. The below-average old snowpack is well consolidated all in all. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent gliding snow activity is expected.
Tendency
Springtime conditions are gradually taking over, with slight daytime rise in avalanche danger levels
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Low avalanche danger. Caution: small spontaneous wet-snow avalanches are possible!
The avalanche danger is in general low. Nevertheless small loose wet-snow avalanches are possible during the course of the day. These are coming predominantly from extremly steep, rocky slopes.
Snowpack
The snow base has settled and is predominantly stable. The snow surface is mostly icy or with hoar. The surface in sunny areas gets quickly moist and wet.
Tendency
The sunny high-pressure system weather will last throughout the whole week. The avalanche danger will stay low.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Generally favorable avalanche situation
Avalanche danger is low. Isolated danger zones occur near ridgelines, esp. in steep shady terrain at summit level. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall demand adequate consideration. During the course of the day, small loose-snow slides continue to be possible. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
On shady slopes at high altitudes, isolated weak layers in transitions from old to fresh snow. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes the bonding of fresh snow to old snow is generally good, the snowpack is often moistened and forms a thin melt-freeze crust during the night. During the course of the day, this crust softens, the surface becomes moist and can forfeit its bonding.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, persistent-weak-layer problem will intensify
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Caution: loose-snow avalanches on extremely steep sunny slopes
Due to solar radiation, increasingly frequent generally small-sized wet loose-snow avalanches are anticipated, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes. Avoid the runout zones! Avalanches are triggerable by persons esp. by large addtional loading on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 2000m, releases mostly small.
Snowpack
Sunny slopes: Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, a surface crust forms during the nighttime hours. Solar radiation will lead to significantly moister snowpack during the daytime, esp. on extremely steep slopes. The fresh snow and drifts lie atop an unfavorable snowpack on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 2000m.
Tendency
Loose-snow avalanches can trigger in zones which have not yet discharged.
Danger level
On shady slopes, isolated near-surface weak layers
Predominantly favorable conditions prevail, with low avalanche danger. Isolated danger zones occur at high altitudes esp. on shady ridgeline steep slopes, they can trigger small slab avalanches in steep shady 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. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, moist slides are increasingly possible.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and drifts of recent days have bonded well with the old snowpack by and large. Above 2200m on shady slopes, isolated near-surface weak layers are evident. The below-average old snowpack is well consolidated all in all. With rising temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent gliding snow activity is expected.
Tendency
Springtime conditions are gradually taking over, with slight daytime rise in avalanche danger levels
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wet snow
2800m
Caution on shady slopes: still danger zones for small slab avalanches. Otherwise predominantly favorable conditions.
Avalanche danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size where snow is sufficient. Danger zones occur esp. on NW/N/E facing slopes above 2400m, esp. near ridgelines and behind protruberances in the terrain and at entries into steep gullies and bowls. Danger zones often blanketed, making them difficult to recognize. During the course of the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible in all aspects, esp. in extremely steep south-facing terrain below 2800m, releases will be generally small-sized. On steep grass-covered slopes, very isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The fresh snow has been deposited on steep shady slopes above 2400m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack which is prone to triggering in places. Weak layers in the lowermost part of the snowpack are no longer likely to trigger. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes, the bonding of fresh fallen snow to the old snowpack is generally good, the surface moistens during the daytime, forms a thin melt-freeze crust at night - not capable of bearing loads - and can forfeit bonding.
Tendency
As temperatures gradually rise, likelihood of triggering will recede. The snowpack is moistening increasingly.
