Caution: wet loose-snow avalanches on very steep sunny slopes; weak layers in old snow
Due to daytime warming and solar radiation, increasingly frequent generally wet loose-snow avalanches are possible, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes. Avalanches are triggerable by persons in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facng slopes above 1800m, releases sometimes medium-sized. Due to light to moderate southerly winds, mostly small snowdrift accumulations are being generated, esp. on ridgeline slopes.
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 and daytime warmth lead to significantly moister snowpack, esp. on extremely steep slopes. Shady slopes: inside the snowpack are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) weak layers, esp on W/N/E facing slopes above 1800m. The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed (faceted) on the surface. Due to southerly winds, small snowdrift accumulations are being generated. Winds are transporting only small amounts of snow. Fresh snowdrift accumulations lie deposited esp. on shady slopes atop soft layers.
Tendency
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Wet snow
2800m
Assess steep shady slopes above 2400m with caution
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier and in unfavorable circumstances 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 on occasion distant from ridgelines. Caution urged esp. at entry points into very steel gullies and bowls. During the course of the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches (mostly Danger Level 1) can be expected in extremely steep south-facing terrain below 2800m. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
Settled fresh snow and older snowdrifts have been deposited on steep shady slopes atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack which is prone to triggering in places, since it evidences a weak layer. 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
No significant change expected. Caution urged towards fresh fallen snow in foehn-impacted regions. On sunny slopes, daytime snowpack moistening.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
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
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2200m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wet snow
2800m
Generally favorable avalanche situation, isolated danger zones on shady slopes
Avalanche danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be trigger a small slab avalanche in steep terrain by one sole skier and reach medium size where snow is sufficient. Danger zones occur esp. on NW/N/E facing slopes above 2400m. Danger zones often blanketed, making them difficult to recognize. Caution especially at entry points into very steep gullies and bowls. 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 settled fresh snow has been deposited on steep shady slopes above 2400m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack which is prone to triggering in places. 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. The crust softens up during the daytime, the snowpack becomes superficially moist, forfeits its bonding.
Tendency
No significant change anticipated
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
Particularly in early morning, danger of falls on frozen snowpack surface
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be problematic. On extremely steep sunny slopes, isolated small wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Wherever moistness reaches down to ground level, small In isolated cases, small glide-snow avalanches cannot be ruled out on steep grass-covered slopes.
Snowpack
On sunny slopes the ground is bare of snow up to high altitudes. The remains of the snowpack are melt-freeze encrusted in early morning. Due to solar radiation, bonding disperses in near-surface snow, it turns to firn snow and the snowpack becomes more and more moist/wet. On shady slopes there is dry powder atop a compact snowpack. On shady slopes where snow is shallow, isolated layers of faceted crystals have persisted inside the snowpack. Tests confirm that the snowpack is stable.
Tendency
Avalanche danger remains low
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1700m
Wind slab
1900m
The avalanche danger is slightly increasing during the course of the day.
Avalanche danger is in general low. During the course of the day loose wet-snow avalanches which could be triggered in extremly steep, rocky slopes can be sponaneously triggered. These avalanches are mostly small to medium sized. Occasionaly fresh snowdrift deposits could be triggered as small slab avalanches.
Snowpack
The snow base is predominantly stable. In high altitudes on shady slopes powder-like snow is found in places. Occasionaly fresh driftsnow deposits have formed due to soutwesterly winds. The snow surface is mostly icy or with hoar. The surface gets quickly moist and wet (early spring firn) in sunny areas. 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 stay low.
Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution: weak layers in old snow.
Due to daytime warming and solar radiation, increasingly frequent generally small-sized wet loose-snow avalanches are possible, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes above 2800m. Avalanches are triggerable by persons in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facng slopes above 2200m, releases sometimes medium-sized, esp. on very steep shady slopes and in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls. Due to moderate-velocity southerly winds, mostly small-sized snowdrift accumulations will be generated esp. in ridgeline terrain.
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 and daytime warmth lead to significantly moister snowpack, esp. on extremely steep slopes. Shady slopes: inside the snowpack are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) weak layers, esp on W/N/E facing slopes above 2200m. The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed (faceted) on the surface. Due to southerly winds, small snowdrift accumulations are being generated. Winds are transporting only small amounts of snow. Fresh snowdrift accumulations lie deposited esp. on shady slopes atop soft layers.
Tendency
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
No significant change anticipated
Danger level
Favorable avalanche situation
Due to solar radiation, increasingly frequent generally small-sized wet loose-snow avalanches are anticipated, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes. Avalanches are triggerable by persons esp. by large addtional loading on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 2000m, releases mostly small.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
Sunny slopes: Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, a surface crust forms during the nocturnal hours. Solar radiation and daytime warmth lead to significantly moister snowpack, esp. on extremely steep slopes. Shady slopes: inside the snowpack are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) weak layers, esp on W/N/E facing slopes above 1800m. The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed (faceted) on the surface.
