Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches possible at any time or day or night
Wet-snow avalanches possible at any time or day or night, esp. at the foot of rock walls on the Italian border. Wet-snow avalanches can fracture down to ground level and grow to large size, esp. in zones with sufficient snow. Runout zones should be avoided. Unfavorable conditions for backcountry tours.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.10: springtime scenario
Heavy rainfall is expected. Weather conditions are making the snowpack ever wetter, leading to a loss of firmness inside the snowpack.
Tendency
Due to rainfall, frequency and size of danger zones are on the increase
Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Wind slab
2800m
Wet-snow avalanches are the main danger. Freshly generated snowdrifts in high-alpine regions.
Avalanche danger below 2800m is considerable, above that altitude danger is moderate. Wet-snow avalanches can release naturally in all aspects and grow to medium size. Esp. on steep W/N/E-facing slopes, increasingly frequent slab avalanches are possible. Thy can sweep along the thoroughly wet snowpack and grow to large size, esp. in high-altitude starting zones where there is sufficient snow. Avalanches in steep gullies can in isolated cases plummet down to green zones. In very steep grass-covered terrain, medium-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally all day long. Danger zones for small freshly generated snowdrift accumulations occur on wind-loaded gullies and bowls on very steep shady slopes above 2800m. Dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered in these places by one single skier. In isolated cases, avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers in the old snowpack and grow to medium size.
Snowpack
The snowpack below 2800m 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 2800m. In high-alpine regios, 5-10cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Due to strong-velocity winds, small snowdrift accumulations will be generated, which esp. on very steep shady slopes will be deposited atop soft layers and will be prone to triggering.
Tendency
Wet snow remains the main danger.
Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Persistent weak layer
2500m
Danger of wet avalanches even in the morning.
Avalanche danger below 2800m is considerable, above that altitude danger is moderate. Danger zones for wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches occur on very steep shady slopes below 2400m, on very steep sunny slopes below 2800m. Due to higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation, the danger of wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches will increase already during the morning hours. Wet-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in all aspects in high-altutude starting zones and grow to medium size. If they sweep along the thoroughly wet old snowpack they can in isolated starting zones where snow is sufficient grow to large size. In addition, the old snowpack can be triggered by large additional loading in extremely steep terrain. Danger zones occur in seldom-skied backcountry touring terrain, esp. on very steep NW/N/NE-facing slopes and are difficult to recognize. Backcountry tours require a cautious route selection.
Snowpack
On E/S/W-facing slopes up to high-alpine regions and on shady slopes up to 2400m, the moist snowpack is able to consolidate somewhat during the nighttime hours, then softens during the morning. On south-facing slopes there is hardly any snow on the ground up to high altitudes. Also on shady slopes, intermediate altitudes are becoming bare of snow. On very steep shady slopes at high altitudes, unfavorable intermediate layers are evident inside the old snowpack.
Tendency
Wet-snow and gliding snow remain the major danger.
Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Wind slab
2800m
Due to rainfall, wet-snow avalanches possible at any time or day or night. Fresh snowdrifts in high-alpine zones.
Wet-snow avalanches possible at any time or day or night, due to a thoroughly wet snowpack following a night of overcast skies., esp. at the foot of rock walls on the Italian border. Wet-snow avalanches can fracture down to ground level and grow to medium size, esp. in zones with sufficient snow. Runout zones should be avoided. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can often be triggered by one sole skier, esp. on very steep shady slopes above 2800m. Such danger zones occur in ridgeline terrain, in gullies and bowls. These are unfavorable conditions for backcountry tours.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Rainfall expected up to high altitudes. Weather conditions below 2800m are leading to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet. Following a night of overcast skies, reduced outgoing radiation and the snowpack surface can freeze only superficially, it softens swiftly in the morning. Weather conditions are making the snowpack ever wetter, leading to a loss of firmness inside the snowpack. High-alpine regions: 10-20cm of fresh snowfall anticipated, locally more. Due to fresh fallen snow and often strong southerly winds, small new snowdrift accumulations will be generated.
Tendency
Due to rainfall, frequency and size of danger zones are on the increase
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Gliding snow
Wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches can release at any time of day or night.
Avalanche danger is moderate. Danger zones for wet-snow avalanches occur on very steep shady slopes below 2600m, on very steep sunny slopes at all altitudes. Wet-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day or night and grow to medium size Esp. on very steep W/N/E-facing slopes, increasingly frequent wet slab avalanches are possible, triggered either naturally or by persons. Avalanches in steep gullies can in isolated cases plummet down to the green zones.
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.
Tendency
Little change is anticipated
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches possible at any time or day or night
Wet-snow avalanches possible at any time or day or night, due to a thoroughly wet snowpack following a night of overcast skies., esp. at the foot of rock walls on the Italian border. Wet-snow avalanches can fracture down to ground level and grow to large size, esp. in zones with sufficient snow. Runout zones should be avoided. Unfavorable conditions for backcountry tours.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.10: springtime scenario
Rainfall is anticipated. Weather conditions are making the snowpack thoroughly wet, leading to a loss of firmness inside the snowpack.
Tendency
Due to rainfall, likelihood of wet-snow avalanches triggering is on the increase
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
AVOID zones below glide cracks. Breaking cornices are becoming increasingly frequent.
Avalanche danger above 1600m is moderate, below that altitude danger ris low. Main problem: wet snow. Isolated wet loose-snow avalanches can be expected in extremely steep terrain which has not yet discharged. Broken cornices are on the increase. Wet glide-snow avalanches are possible over smooth groundm, on grass-covered slopes, in sparsely wooded zones and over smooth rock plates. At high altitudes there is still sufficient snow, esp. on shady slopes, for avalanches to grow to medium size.
Snowpack
During clear nocturnal phases, outgoing longwave radiation is strong enough to generate a hardened and melt-freeze encrusted surface in early morning. This then softens and the sink-in depths increase. The snowpack on shady slopes is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes. On south-facing slopes up to high altitudes, hardly any snow on the ground. On shady slopes, there is snow on the ground above 1400m.
Tendency
The snowpack is gradually receding, and with it, avalanche danger.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
Gliding snow
1600m
Danger of wet-snow avalanches even in the morning
Due to higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation, the danger of wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches will increase already during the morning hours. Wet-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in all aspects in high-altutude starting zones and grow to medium size. If they sweep along the thoroughly wet old snowpack they can in isolated starting zones where snow is sufficient grow to large size. In addition, the old snowpack can be triggered by large additional loading in extremely steep 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 caution.
Snowpack
On E/S/W-facing slopes up to high-alpine regions and on shady slopes up to 2400m, the moist snowpack is able to consolidate somewhat during the nighttime hours, then softens during the morning. On south-facing slopes there is hardly any snow on the ground up to high altitudes. Also on shady slopes, intermediate altitudes are becoming bare of snow.
Tendency
Wet-snow and gliding snow remain the major danger.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
Snowpack
Tendency
BEFORE NOON Danger level
AFTERNOON Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1700m
Slightly increasing avalanche danger during the course of the day - wet-snow problem
The avalanche danger increases from low to moderate during the course of the day above 1.700 m and spontaneous wet-snow avalanches are possible. In danger are northern exposed slopes, where still a sufficient amount of snow is present for beeing triggered as avalanches. On smooth surfaces gliding-snow avalanches are possible. Avoid areas below glide cracks. Avalanches are small to medium sized.
Snowpack
The snowcover is depending on height and exposition wet or moist. On southern exposed sloped the snow has almost fully retreated till high altitudes. During the night firmness can increase due to nightly radiation. During the course of the day higher temperatures and sun will cause wetness and loss of firmness.
Tendency
On Thursday clouds are coming from south and rain is possible. It will stay mild. The wet-snow problem is persistent and the snow retreats increasingly even in hight altitudes and northern expositions.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
In early morning, danger of taking a fall on hardened surfaces is acute. South-facing slopes largely bare of snow.
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be problematic. On smooth, very steep slopes which have not yet discharged, small wet glide-snow avalanches are possible in all aspects. Where the snow on the ground is sufficient, small naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
During clear nocturnal phases, outgoing longwave radiation is strong enough to generate a hardened and melt-freeze encrusted surface in early morning. This then softens and the sink-in depths increase. The snowpack on shady slopes is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes. On south-facing slopes up to high altitudes, hardly any snow on the ground. On shady slopes, there is snow on the ground above 1400m.
The avalanche danger is in general low. Nevertheless spontaneous small sized wet-snow avalanches are possible when a sufficient amount of snow is present - like in high altitudes in northern exposed slopes. The danger increases during the course of the day.
Snowpack
The snowcover is depending on height and exposition wet or moist. On southern exposed sloped the snow has almost fully retreated till high altitudes. During the night firmness can increase due to nightly radiation. During the course of the day higher temperatures and sun will cause wetness and loss of firmness.
Tendency
On Thursday clouds are coming from south and rain is possible. It will stay mild. The wet-snow problem is persistent and the snow retreats increasingly even in hight altitudes and northern expositions.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Wet-snow slides and small avalanches already during the morning hours
Avalanche danger is low. Due to higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation, the danger of wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches will increase already during the morning hours. Wet-snow slides and small-sized avalanches can trigger naturally in all aspects on steep north-facing slopes, small releases.
Snowpack
During the slightly cloudy nocturnal hours, the moist snowpack can consolidate superficially. On south-facing slopes up to high-altitudes there is hardly any snow on the ground. Also on shady slopes the ground is becoming increasingly bare of snow.
Tendency
Wet-snow and gliding snow remain the major danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Due to rainfall, wet-snow slides possible at any time or day or night.
Due to daytime warming and solar radiation, likelihood of wet snow slides possible at any time of day or night. Runout zones should be avoided. Unfavorable conditions for backcountry tours.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.10: springtime scenario
Rainfall is anticipated. Weather conditions are making the snowpack thoroughly wet, leading to a loss of firmness inside the snowpack.
Tendency
Little change expected
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Gliding snow
Small-sized wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally
Avalanche danger is low. During the course of the day, likelihood of small wet-snow avalanches triggering on sunny steep slopes will increase somewhat. Runout zones below very steep snow-covered gullies and grass-covered slopes should be avoided.
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, wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches remain the major danger.
