Rapidly rising danger of wet-snow avalanches in the morning
Avalanche danger increases swiftly during the morning hours. In early morning danger at all altitudes is moderate, medium-sized wet-snow avalanches (loosely-packed and slab) can be triggered by one sole skier. Even medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered on extremely steep extended north-facing slopes. As the snowpack becomes wetter, danger rises to considerable (Level 3) in all aspected, esp. on very steep W/N/E-facing slopes, increasingly frequent wet slab avalanches are possible, triggered either naturally or by persons. Particularly in high-altitude starting zones, releases can reach medium size. In very steep grass-covered terrain, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally all day long. Backcountry tours and ascents to refuges should be ended early in the day.
Snowpack
The snowpack below 2600m is at least moistened in all aspects, on sunny slopes often up to high-alpine regions thoroughly wet. The snowpack cannot sufficient radiate outwardly during the nocturnal hours, forms only a thin melt-freeze crust not capable of bearing loads, and softening quickly in the morning hours. High air moisture and local rainfall is making the snowpack even wetter. Weak layers of faceted crystals evident only on extremely steep shady slopes above 2600m. On very steep, smooth slopes, the entire snowpack can glide away.
Tendency
The snowpack is becoming thoroughly wet. Main danger: wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches.
Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2600m
Gliding snow
2600m
Moderate avalanche danger due to wet-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger increases swiftly during the morning hours. In early morning danger at all altitudes is moderate, medium-sized wet-snow avalanches (loosely-packed and slab) can be triggered by one sole skier. Even medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered on extremely steep extended north-facing slopes. As the snowpack becomes wetter, danger rises to considerable (Level 3) in all aspected, esp. on very steep W/N/E-facing slopes, increasingly frequent wet slab avalanches are possible, triggered either naturally or by persons. Particularly in high-altitude starting zones, releases can reach medium size. In very steep grass-covered terrain, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally all day long. Backcountry tours and ascents to refuges should be ended early in the day.
Snowpack
The snowpack below 2600m is at least moistened in all aspects, on sunny slopes often up to high-alpine regions thoroughly wet. The snowpack cannot sufficient radiate outwardly during the nocturnal hours, forms only a thin melt-freeze crust not capable of bearing loads, and softening quickly in the morning hours. High air moisture and local rainfall is making the snowpack even wetter. Weak layers of faceted crystals evident only on extremely steep shady slopes above 2600m. On very steep, smooth slopes, the entire snowpack can glide away.
Tendency
The snowpack is becoming thoroughly wet. Main danger: wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches.
BEFORE NOON Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
AFTERNOON Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Gliding snow
Daytime possibility of small wet-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is low. During the course of the day, likelihood of small wet-snow avalanches triggering on sunny steep slopes will increase somewhat. On very steep grass-covered slopes below 2600m which have not yet discharged, isolated mostly small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally or by persons on their ascent, mostly small releases. In very steep grass-covered terrain, isolated small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.
Snowpack
Little snow on the ground. The melt-freeze crust is often capable of bearing loads, but gradually softens in the morning and forfeits its bonding. On very steep, smooth slopes the entire snowpack can glide away in places.
Tendency
Little change expected. The snowpack is becoming wetter, slightly increasing danger of wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches.
