Fresh foehn-induced snowdrifts on north-facing slopes prone to triggering. Avalanches can fracture in weak old snow.
Avalanche danger is considerable above 1900m, below that altitude danger is low. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier in a few steep spots above 1900m, snowdrifts also lie deposited distant from ridgelines in gujllies and bowls and the releases grow to medium size. Especially above 2200m avalanches can fracture in the weak old snow, esp. on seldom-tracked 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, releases mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
On shady slopes, fresh foehn-induced snowdrifts lie deposited atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface. Inside the drifts, weak layers can form. In addition, inside the old snowpack fundament there are several layers of faceted crystals, these weak laysers can serve as a slab to the freshly generated drifts. Due to reduced nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation and often diffuse radiation the snowpack is superficially moist and is forfeiting its firmness.
Tendency
Likelihood of the snowdrifts triggering will gradually decrease
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wet snow
1500m
Caution urged in little-tracked shady terrain and towards fresh drifts
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. Below 1500m there is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
As temperatures drop, slighlty decreasing avalanche danger
Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1500m
Predominantly favorable conditions
Due to daytime warmth, slides and wet-snow avalanches
Especially on sun-bathed steep slopes, increasingly frequent slides and small-to-medium avalanches are possible due to solar radiation and daytime warming. In addition, on steep grass-covered slopes where the snow is sufficient or over smooth ground, the danger of small glide-snow avalanches exists. Further, isolated danger zones occur esp. on steep shady ridgeline slopes. Small slab avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts in isolated cases. 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.
Snowpack
On steep shady slopes at high altitudes, the latest fresh fallen snow often lies deposited atop soft layers, bonding usually good. Mild nocturnal temperatures, reduced outgoing longwave radiation, only a breakable crust can form. On steep high-altitude north-facing slopes the snow is often still powdery. The generally shallow old snowpack is mostly well consolidated. On sunny slopes the uppermost layers moisten during the daytime, lower altitude slopes are becoming bare of snow. Below 1500m there is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
As temperatures drop, slighlty decreasing avalanche danger
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wet snow
2000m
Slightly rising danger of moist/wet avalanches due to rainfall. Caution: weak layers in old snow.
Due to rainfall, increasingly frequent moist/wet-snow avalanches are possible, esp. below 2000m, on very steep slopes in all aspects. Releases are relatively small and can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier. Such danger zones lie on very steep shady slopes and in transitions into gullies and bowls above 2000m and can reach medium size.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Some rainfall below 2000m, and some snowfall, esp. at high altitudes. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is nearly absent. The snowpack is moist. In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. above 2000.
Tendency
Increasing avalanche danger
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution: weak layers in the old snow
Weak layers can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier. Such danger zones lie on N/W/E facing 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. Due to snowpack moistening, isolated moist loose-snow avalanches are possible, esp. on very steep slopes, small releases.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.10: springtime scenario
Some rainfall, and some snowfall, esp. at high altitudes. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is nearly absent. The snowpack is moist, esp. below 2500m. In the middle part of the snowpack on N/W/E facing slopes there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. above 2200m.
Tendency
Increasing avalanche danger
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1900m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Fresh foehn-induced snowdrifts on north-facing slopes prone to triggering. Avalanches can fracture in weak old snow.
Avalanche danger is moderate above 1900m, below that altitude danger is low. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier in a few steep spots above 1900m, snowdrifts also lie deposited distant from ridgelines in gujllies and bowls and the releases grow to medium size. Especially above 2200m avalanches can fracture in the weak old snow, esp. on seldom-tracked 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, releases mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
On shady slopes, fresh foehn-induced snowdrifts lie deposited atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface. Inside the drifts, weak layers can form. In addition, inside the old snowpack fundament there are several layers of faceted crystals, these weak laysers can serve as a slab to the freshly generated drifts. Due to reduced nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation and often diffuse radiation the snowpack is superficially moist and is forfeiting its firmness.
Tendency
Little change expected
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Wet snow
Slightly rising danger of moist/wet avalanches due to rainfall. Caution: weak layers in old snow.
Due to rainfall, increasingly frequent moist/wet-snow avalanches are possible, esp. on steep slopes in all aspects. Releases are relatively small and can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier. Such danger zones lie on very steep shady slopes and in transitions into gullies and bowls above 1900m and can reach medium size.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Some rainfall, and some snowfall, esp. at high altitudes. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is nearly absent. The snowpack is moist. In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. at high altitudes.
Tendency
Increasing avalanche danger
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2000m
Isolated danger zones.
Moist/wet avalanches can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier in all aspecdts on very steep shady slopes and in transitions into gullies and bowls, esp at high altitudes. Isolated danger zones occur esp. on very steep shady slopes at high altitudes.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Some rainfall below 2000m, and some snowfall, esp. at high altitudes. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is nearly absent. The snowpack is moist. In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. above 2000.
Tendency
Increasing avalanche danger regionally
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Avalanche danger low. Persistent weak layers in shady high areas!
Avalanche danger is in general low. A few danger spots exist. Medium slab avalanches can be triggered by high additional especially in entries to extremely steep shady gullies, bowls and slopes above 1.900 m. The amount of danger spots is increasing with height. Small spontaneous loose-snow and slab avalanches are to expect on sunny slopes.
Snowpack
Older snowdrift deposits are placed on a weak base in shady high areas. Apart that the snowcover has stabilized in most areas. On the surface a melt-hoar crust is formed. The snow base is predominantly made of faceted snow and relatively soft.
Tendency
On Sunday changing weather conditions with rain- and snow showers. The avalanche danger stays low.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Avalanche problems are transferring to higher altitudes
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow is the main problem. Small loose-snow slides can trigger naturally in extremely steep sunny terrain wherever sufficient snow has fallen due to solar radiation. In isolated cases on very steep north-facing slopes at high altitudes, persistent weak layers can be problematic. Near ridgelines, esp in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, small slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading. In addition, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible over smooth ground on steep slopes.
Snowpack
NIghttime skies are cloudy. In early morning the snowpack is often superficially moist or wet. Due to mild temperatures the snow is moist and forfeiting its firmness. Otherwiese it is mostly stable and wet at its base. Only on shady slopes at high altitudes is the surface snow still dry and loose in some places. There, it can be transported by the foehn winds and generate small snowdrift accumulations. In isolated cases in very steep terrain at high altitudes there is a weak layer at ground level. On south-facing slopes the ground is bare of snow up to high altitudes.
Tendency
It will remain mild and variable. Wet snow is the main problem.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
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. On shady slopes, thin fresh snowdrift accumulations are being generated. Due to reduced nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation and often diffuse radiation the snowpack is superficially moist and forfeiting its firmness.
