Caution towards persistent weak layers: at high altitudes they can trigger.
Avalanche danger above 2400m is moderate. Slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading in some places, caution urged in transitions from shallow to deeper snow. On very steep north-facing slopes above 2600m and on W/E-facing slopes above 2600m, avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small moist loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally during the course of the day. Due to strong-velocity northerly winds, small danger zones will be generated through fresh snowdrift patches which can be prone to triggering on very steep north-facing slopes (most are easy to recognize). From very steep grass-covered slopes below 2600m, isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.
Snowpack
Following a night of partially cloudy skies the snowpack will be melt-freeze encrusted over far-reaching areas, then soften rapidly during the day, esp. on sunny slopes. In extended northern aspects there are weak layers of faceted crystals inside the old snowpack. On shady slopes at summit altitudes, fresh, shallow snowdrift patches lie deposited atop weak layers of surface hoar or faceted crystals in some places. On shady slopes below 2200m, on sunny slopes, the snowpack is mostly moist. Despite dropping temperatures the snowpack can on steep grass-covered slopes glide away as an entire mass.
Tendency
Due to daytime warming and solar radiation, wet-snow activity will again increase.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wet snow
Caution on very steep shady slopes in high-alpine zones.
Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger small-to-medium-sized avalanches in the old snow. Danger zones occur on very steep NW/N/NE-facing slopes which are difficult to recognize, they increase with ascending altitude. Backcountry tours require an well-considered route selection. Avalanche danger increases during the course of the day. Particularly in intensively sun-bathed steep terrain, increasingly also on shady slopes, small-to-medium wet-snow avalanches are possible. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalances remains difficult to assess.
Snowpack
At high altitudes on very steep slopes, unfavorable intermediate layers in the old snowpack are evident. In zones with little wind impact the uppermost layers are still soft. The snowpack is throughly wet up to high altitudes but all-in-all well consolidated and stable. Due to daytime rise in temperatures and solar radiation, the snowpack weakens as the day unfolds.
Tendency
Danger of dry-snow avalanches will recede. On sun-bathed slopes, small wet avalanches are possible in steep terrain. Glide-snow avalanches are still possible.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2200m
Time for crampons!
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be problematic. On very steep grass-covered slopes which have not yet discharged, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible. Due to solar radiation some mostly small, wet loose snow slides can trigger on extremely steep rocky slopes.
Snowpack
All in all, the snowpack is well consolidated and stable, in early morning it is melt-freeze encrusted, then turns to firn-snow and becomes moistened from above. Only on steep shady slopes at highest altitudes is the snow still powdery. There, isolated layers of faceted crystals have persisted,in the uppermost part of the snowpack. However, these are hardly likely to release. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack on sunny slopes has receded significantly, the fundament is wet over far-reaching areas. Gliding snow masses are possible.
Tendency
Avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
Favorable avalanche situation
Quite favorable avalanche conditions prevail in general. Due to solar radiation, isolated moist avalanches can be expected during the course of the day, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes. On hardened surfaces, acute danger of falls.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
Partially clear skies at night, the snowpack will freeze and form a crust capable of bearing loads, then softening during the day, esp. on sunny slopes. The old snowpack is moist, esp. on sunny slopes at all altitudes and on shady slopes below 2100m. Below 1600m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Little change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
Mostly favorable avalanche situation
Avalanche danger is low, extremely isolated danger zones for winter sports enthusiasts occur on very steep shady slopes above 2200m, where in some palces on steep slopes small slab avalanches can be triggered in the fresh, shallow snowdrift patches, esp. in transitions from shallow to deep snow. From very steep grass-covered slopes below 2600m which have not yet discharged, isolated mostly small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small moist loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally during the course of the day. Acute danger of falls on the hardened surfaces In general the danger of falling outweighs that of being buried in snow.
Snowpack
Following a night of partially cloudy skies the snowpack will be melt-freeze encrusted over far-reaching areas, then soften rapidly during the day, esp. on sunny slopes. In extended northern aspects there are weak layers of faceted crystals inside the old snowpack. On shady slopes at summit altitudes, fresh, shallow snowdrift patches lie deposited atop weak layers of surface hoar or faceted crystals in some places. On shady slopes below 2200m, on sunny slopes, the snowpack is mostly moist. Despite dropping temperatures the snowpack can on steep grass-covered slopes glide away as an entire mass.
Tendency
Due to daytime warming and solar radiation, wet-snow activity will again increase.
Danger level
2100m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2100m
Isolated danger zones at high altitudes
Weak layers in the uppermost part of the snowpack can in isolated cases be triggered by one sole skier. Such danger zones occur esp. on steep N/W/E-facing slopes above 2100m. Avalanches can in isolated cases grow to medium size. Due to solar radiation and daytime warmth, increasingly frequent wet-snow avalanches can be expected, especially on extremely steep sunny slopes, releases mostly small-sized. Acute danger of falling on hardened snowpack surfaces in steep terrain.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.10: springtime scenario
Clear skies are expected. The snowpack surface will freeze and be capable of bearing loads in early morning, softening subsequently over the course of the day. The old snowpack is moist, particularly on sunny slopes at all altitudes and on shady slopes below 2100m. Inside the old snowpack on N/W/E-facing slopes there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers, esp. abov 2400m. Below 1800m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Little change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
Predominantly good avalanche situation
The avalanche danger is low. Danger spots are only in some places in shady steep areas in high altitudes. There the triggering of slab avalanches within the old snow can´t be ruled out. In few places fresh snowdrift deposits which formed with the northerly winds are prone to triggering, the risk of falling outweighs the risk of burial. In sunny rocky terrain loose-snow avalanches due to radiation can´t be ruled out. In steep slopes risk of falling on the hoar-like surfaces.
Snowpack
The snow cover mostly settled and stable. In most places surface haare has formed and sometimes the surfaces are influenced by the winds. In places thin snowdrift deposits have formed which are poorly bonded with the old snow cover. Weak layers are only found in shady slopes in the highest altitudes within the old snow cover (Graupel, soft crystals). The old snow cover is moist even in high altitudes, especially on sunny slopes. In medium altitudes the snow cover has decreased especially on sunny areas.
Tendency
On Wednesday unstable wether and milder temperatures are expected. Winds are weakening. No significant change of the avalanche situation.
Danger level
Predominantly favorable conditions. Beware slight daytime rise in danger.
Avalanche danger in the morning is low. Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger avalanches in extremely steep terrain, usually small releases. 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. Due to daytime warming and solar radiation esp. on sun-bathed and rocky steep terrain, but also on shady slopes to an increasing degree, slides and mostly small-sized wet-snow avalanches are possible. Small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches continue to be possible.
Snowpack
The old snowpack is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes, but following a night of clear skies with good outgoing radiation, a generally well consolidated snowpack awaits in early morning. During the course of the day, the snowpack will soften from east to south to west and lose its firmness. At lower altitudes there is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
Favorable conditions will continue. Small glide-snow avalanches still possible.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Isolated danger zones at high altitudes
Weak layers in the uppermost part of the snowpack can in isolated cases be triggered by one sole skier. Such danger zones occur esp. on steep N/W/E-facing slopes above 2100m. Avalanches can in isolated cases grow to medium size. Due to solar radiation and daytime warmth, increasingly frequent wet-snow avalanches can be expected, especially on extremely steep sunny slopes, releases mostly small-sized. Acute danger of falling on hardened snowpack surfaces in steep terrain.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.10: springtime scenario
Clear skies are expected. The snowpack surface will freeze and be capable of bearing loads in early morning, softening subsequently over the course of the day. The old snowpack is moist, particularly on sunny slopes at all altitudes and on shady slopes below 2100m. Inside the old snowpack on N/W/E-facing slopes there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers, esp. abov 2400m. Below 1800m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Little change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
