In some places, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches due to solar radiation.
Avalanche danger is moderate above 2200m, below that altitude danger is low. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier in a few steep spots above 2200m. If a fracture occurs it can reach down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack and the release grow to medium size. The danger zones are difficult to recognize, occur esp. on very steep north-facing slopes. Caution urged esp. above 2500m on E/W facing slopes. Avalanches in the near-surface drifts remain small-sized. During the course of the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected in extremely steep south-facing terrain. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
On shady slopes, 10-20cm of fresh loose snow on the surface, on steep sunny slopes a melt-freeze crust has formed which is often capable of bearing loads. Under that is a melt-freeze crust up to 2400m. Near the crust, faceted crystals have formed. In the lowermost part of the snowpack on shady high-altitude slopes there are faceted crystals near ground level and embedded hoar.
Tendency
Likelihood of snowdrift accumulations triggering will gradually diminish
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Caution urged towards weak layers in old snow
Avalanches can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier on shady slopes above 2200m, mostly medium-sized releases. Such danger zones lie on very steep shady slopes and in transitions into gullies and bowls above 2200m. Very isolated danger zones also occur on very steep sunny slopes above 2600m. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. Small snowdrifts can trigger on very steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high-alpine terrain. Danger zones occur seldom. Due to daytime warmth and solar radiation, moist loose-snow avalanches are possible but mostly small-sized, esp. triggerable on extremely steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.10: springtime scenario
Clear skies widespread. Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, near-surface crusts form above 2400m. In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. above 2200m. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are being deposited atop soft layers . On sunny slopes, the snowpack softens during the day on extremely steep slopes.
Tendency
Caution urged towards weak layers in the old snow
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution: weak layers in the old snow
Avalanches can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier on shady slopes above 2200m, mostly medium-sized releases. Such danger zones lie on very steep shady slopes and in transitions into gullies and bowls above 2200m. Very isolated danger zones also occur on very steep sunny slopes above 2600m. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. Small snowdrifts can trigger on very steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high-alpine terrain. Danger zones occur seldom. Due to daytime warmth and solar radiation, moist loose-snow avalanches are possible but mostly small-sized, esp. triggerable on extremely steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Clear skies widespread. Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, near-surface crusts form above 2400m. In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. above 2200m. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are being deposited atop soft layers . On sunny slopes, the snowpack softens during the day on extremely steep slopes.
Tendency
Caution: weak layers in the old snow
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Caution: weak layers in old snow are main danger
Avalanches can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier on shady slopes above 2200m, mostly medium-sized releases. Such danger zones lie on very steep shady slopes and in transitions into gullies and bowls above 2200m. Very isolated danger zones also occur on very steep sunny slopes above 2600m. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. Small snowdrifts can trigger on very steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high-alpine terrain. Danger zones occur seldom. Due to daytime warmth and solar radiation, moist loose-snow avalanches are possible but mostly small-sized, esp. triggerable on extremely steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.10: springtime scenario
Clear skies widespread. Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, near-surface crusts form above 2400m. In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. above 2200m. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are being deposited atop soft layers . On sunny slopes, the snowpack softens during the day on extremely steep slopes.
Tendency
Beware weak layers in old snow
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Caution urged in little-tracked shady terrain. Attention: daytime warming.
Near-surface weak layers are still prone to triggering, esp. on seldom-tracked shady steep slopes. One sole skier can trigger a small-to-medium loose-snow or slab avalanche. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate caution. On steep grass-covered slopes with sufficient snow on the ground or atop smooth ground, isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. In rocky terrain, increasingly frequent slides and small loose-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
High-altitude shady slopes have small snowdrifts atop often faceted weak soft layers, bonding is often inadequate. At night a breakable crust forms, sometimes capable of bearing loads. On steep north-facing slopes, there is still powder. The old snowpack is well consolidated. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes the fresh snow will fall on bare ground, the snow is often moist
Tendency
In foehn-impacted regions, fresh snowdrifts can be generated in follow-up days. Due to further rise in temperatures, increasingly frequent wet-snow avalanches can be expected.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Wetting snowpack progresses due to sunshine
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be a problem. Small loose-snow slides can trigger naturally in extremely steep sunny terrain wherever sufficient snow has fallen due to solar radiation. In addition, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible over smooth ground on steep slopes.
Snowpack
In many places the snowpack is superficially melt-freeze encrusted in early morning hours, later on rapidly softening in the sunshine, superficial layers becoming thoroughly wet in the mild temperatures, and forfeiting their firmness. Otherwise the snowpack is stable and often wet. On south-facing slopes, the ground is bare of snow up to the timberline. In high-altitude zones the near surface snow on shady slopes is still loose and dry.
Tendency
Little change before the weekend
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Wet snow
Persistent weak layers in high altitudes!
Avalanche danger iabove the treeline is moderate and below that low. The main problem is fresh snowdrift which has formed in all expositions dur to turning winds. The amount of danger spots is increasing with height. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered by small additional loads.. Caution in steep entries, in gullies and bowls and in general on slopes behind ridgelines. Small spontaneous loose-snow avalanches coming from extremely steep, rocky terrain on sunny slopes are possible.
Snowpack
Due to variable winds snowdrift deposits have formed in all expositions which are layered partially as weak layers within the old snow. The snow base itself is predominantly made of faceted snow crystals and relatively soft. Due to warming and sun radiation the snow can loose its stability on the surface.
Tendency
On Thursday sunny and mild mountain weather. The danger to trigger slab avalanches decreases but the wet snow problem increases.
Danger level
Danger of falling outweighs that of being buried in snow masses
Avalanche danger is low. Isolated small loose-snow naturally triggered avalanches are possible or can be triggered by one sole skier. Danger zones for small slab avalanches in the snowdrifts occur seldom on very steep N/E facing slopes at high altitudes. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The shallow, generally stable snowpack has consolidated well. About 5-10cm of fresh snow lies atop a melt-freeze crust mostly capable-of-bearing-loads.
Tendency
Little change expected
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Isolated danger zones. Wet loose-snow avalanches possible on very steep sunny slopes.
Avalanches can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier on shady slopes above 2000m, mostly medium-sized releases. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by one sole skier, esp. on shady slopes. Caution urged at the foot of rock walls and behind protruberances in the terrain, and in gullies and bowls. Due to daytime warming and solar radiaation, moist loose-snow avalanches are possible, mostly small releases on very steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Clear skies widespread. Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, near-surface crusts form above 2400m. In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. above 2200m. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are being deposited atop soft layers . On sunny slopes, the snowpack softens during the day on extremely steep slopes.
Tendency
Danger level
Predominantly favorable conditions
Due to daytime warmth, slides and small loose-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is low. Isolated danger zones occur esp. in ridgeline terrain, on shady steep slopes and in extremely steep terrain. One sole skier can trigger a small-to-medium loose-snow or slab avalanche. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate caution. On steep grass-covered slopes with sufficient snow on the ground or atop smooth ground, isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. In rocky terrain, slides and small loose-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
High-altitude shady slopes have small snowdrifts atop often faceted weak soft layers, bonding is often inadequate. At night a breakable crust forms, sometimes capable of bearing loads. On steep north-facing slopes, there is still powder. The old snowpack is well consolidated. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes the fresh snow will fall on bare ground, the snow is often moist
Tendency
Transition to springtime conditions, including daytime rise in avalanche danger and increasingly frequent wet-snow avalanches
