Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches will recede as precipitation ends
Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches will recede as precipitation ends and temperatures drop. Wet-snow avalanches can still be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts, esp. on very steep slopes in all aspects at high altitudes. Avalanches can fracture down lower and sweep along the entire wet snowpack, thus grow to medium size.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.10: springtime scenario
Weather conditions are making the snowpack ever wetter, leading to a loss of firmness inside the snowpack, resulting to loss of snowpack firmness. Many starting zones have already completely dishcharged. On steep sunny slopes below 1600m, hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Beware wet snow
Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Wind slab
2800m
Main danger: wet-snow avalanches. Beware fresh snowdrifts in high-alpine zones.
Avalanche danger below 2800m is considerable, above that altitude danger is moderate. On steep slopes in all aspects which have not yet discharged, wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally and grow to medium-to-large size. In high-alpine zones, fresh snowdrift accumulations require attentiveness, they are usually small, but often easily triggered. Danger zones occur in gullies, bowls, behind protruberances in the terrain and on very steep shady slopes above 2800m. In addition, winter sports enthusiasts can trigger small-to-medium avalanches in the old snow in isolated cases. Danger zones occur in little-tracked backcountry terrain, mostly on very steep NW/N/NE-facing slopes and are difficult to recognize.
Snowpack
On Thursday, minor snowfall above 2000m. Moist/warm air masses and rainfall will make the snowpack forfeit its firmness. During the night, up to 5cm of fresh snow is anticipated above 1500m. On Good Friday temperatures will drop, a bit of fresh snow is expected. Danger of wet-snow avalanches will recede. Due to strong SE/SW winds, small snowdrifts accumulated on Wednesday night, particularly in high-alpine zones they were deposited on very steep shady slopes atop soft layers and are often prone to triggering. These will consolidated increasingly. On south-facing slopes up to high altitudes, hardly any snow on the ground. Also on shady slopes, intermediate altitudes are increasingly bare of snow. On very steep shady slopes at high altitudes, often unfavorable intermediate layers are evident inside the old snowpack, particularly in the Silvretta.
Tendency
On the weekend, often sunny and mild. Avalanche danger levels will recede further and be subject to a daytime danger cycle.
BEFORE NOON Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Wind slab
2800m
AFTERNOON 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.
Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches will recede as precipitation ends and temperatures drop. Wet-snow avalanches can still be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts, esp. on very steep slopes in all aspects below 2800m. Avalanches can fracture down lower and sweep along the entire wet snowpack, thus grow to medium size. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by one sole skier on very steep shady slopes above 2800m. Such danger zones occur esp. in ridgeline terrain, in gullies and in bowls.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Weather conditions below 2800m are leading to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet. Many wet-snow avalanches have already released, many starting zones have completely discharged, the snowpack is thoroughly wet. High-alpine zones: up to 20cm of fresh snowfall expected, locally more. Due to fresh fallen snow and often strong southerly winds, small new snowdrift accumulations will be generated. On steep sunny slopes below 1900m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Beware wet snow and fresh snowdrifts
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Isolated medium-sized wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is moderate. In a few places on steep slopes which have not yet discharged, small-to-medium moist/wet avalanches can trigger naturally, esp. when windows of sunshine are more extended, or be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. In isolated cases, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The still evident snowpack below 2000m has turned to summer-firn snow. Even above that altitude the snow is moist or wet, contains melt-freeze crusts, though the overall somepack is quite compact. In places, there are a few cm of fresh snow deposited atop this old snowpack surface.
Tendency
Springtime situation: slight daytime danger cycle due to wet-snow avalanche activity
Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Wind slab
2800m
Moderate wet-snow problem. Beware snowdrifts in high-alpine zones.
Avalanche danger is moderate, on steep slopes below 2800m which have not yet discharged, small-to-medium moist/wet-snow avalanches can releases spontaneously, esp. with extended sunshine windows, or be triggered by persons. Also isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. Danger zones for small snowdrifts occur in shady wind-loaded gullies and bowls above 2800m. Dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered here by one sole skier. Isolated avalanches can fracture down to the wet layers and sweep them along, thereby growing to medium size.
Snowpack
The snowpack is moist or wet up to high altitutudes, contains melt-freeze crusts even though the snowpack is quite compact overall, weak layers are isolated but occur above 2500m. In some places in this compact, moist old snowpack there are a few cm of fresh snow lying atop it. Dry weak layers of faceted crystals exist only on shady slopes above 2800m. Due to storm-strength southerly foehn winds, small snowdrift accumulations have been generated over the last few days, esp. on very steep shady slopes, deposited them atop weak layers where they are prone to triggering.
Tendency
Springtime situation: slight daytime danger cycle. The snowdrift problem is receding.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1800m
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 the firming and setteling of the snow cover is not possible due to the lack of radiation caused by clouds. the snow cover is moist, wet and soft from the morning on. The retreatment increases.
Tendency
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
Gliding snow
1600m
Isolated wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger below 1600m is moderate. On steep slopes in all aspects which have not yet discharged, wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally and grow to medium-to-large size. In high-alpine zones, fresh snowdrift accumulations require attentiveness, they are usually small, but often easily triggered, need to be assessed with caution.
Snowpack
On Thursday, minor snowfall above 2000m. Moist/warm air masses and rainfall will make the snowpack forfeit its firmness. During the night, up to 5cm of fresh snow is anticipated above 1500m. On Good Friday temperatures will drop, a bit of fresh snow is expected. Danger of wet-snow avalanches will recede. Due to strong SE/SW winds, small snowdrifts accumulated on Wednesday night, particularly in high-alpine zones they were deposited on very steep shady slopes atop soft layers and are often prone to triggering. These will consolidated increasingly. On south-facing slopes up to high altitudes, hardly any snow on the ground. Also on shady slopes, intermediate altitudes are increasingly bare of snow. On very steep shady slopes at high altitudes, often unfavorable intermediate layers are evident inside the old snowpack.
Tendency
On the weekend, often sunny and mild. Avalanche danger levels will recede further and be subject to a daytime danger cycle.
BEFORE NOON Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
AFTERNOON Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches will recede as precipitation ends
Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches will recede as precipitation ends and temperatures drop. Wet-snow avalanches can still be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts, esp. on very steep slopes in all aspects at high altitudes.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.10: springtime scenario
Weather conditions are leading to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet. Many wet-snow avalanches have already released, many starting zones have completely discharged, the snowpack is thoroughly wet. On steep sunny slopes and below 1800m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Beware wet snow
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1800m
Spontaneous wet-snow avalanches from steep terrain possible at any time!
The avalanche danger is moderate above 1.700 m. Danger spots are located in steep shady slopes. There spontaneous wet-snow avalanches are possible any time or can be triggered by an individual. On smooth surfaces gliding-snow avalanches are still 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 the firming and setteling of the snow cover is not possible due to the lack of radiation caused by clouds. the snow cover is moist, wet and soft from the morning on. The retreatment increases.
Tendency
On Friday changeable weather is called. Due to the clouds summints can be foggy any time. Rain showers till 2.000m are to expect. The snow cover retreats.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
Gliding snow
1600m
Glide-snow avalanches can release at any time of day or night
Avalanche danger above 1600m is moderate, below that altitude danger ris low. Main problem: wet snow. Wet glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time on grass-covered slopes, in sparsely wooded zones and over smooth rock places. In addition, naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches are possible on extremely steep slopes which have not yet discharged. At high altitudes there is still sufficient snow for avalanches to grow to medium size.
Snowpack
The snowpack on shady slopes is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes. A thin melt-freeze crust can form during the nighttime hours, but softens swiftly during the morning. 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
Little change anticipated
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1800m
Only little amount of snow, but spontaneous wet-snow avalanches from steep shady slopes are possible.
The avalanche danger is low. Nevertheless danger spots are located ind very steep shady slopes. There spontaneous small sized wet-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
During the night the firming and setteling of the snow cover is not possible due to the lack of radiation caused by clouds. The snowcover is on the surface wet or mois and in lower altitudes foul. On southern exposed sloped the snow has almost fully retreated. The retreatment increases.
Tendency
On Friday changeable weather is called. Due to the clouds summints can be foggy any time. Rain showers till 2.000m are to expect. The snow cover retreats.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Isolated wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is low. On steep north-facing slopes, wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches can increase naturally. Wet-snow avalanches can be triggered by persons in steep terrain, mostly 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.
Snowpack
On Thursday, minor snowfall above 2000m. Moist/warm air masses and rainfall will make the snowpack forfeit its firmness. During the night, up to 5cm of fresh snow is anticipated above 1500m. On Good Friday temperatures will drop, a bit of fresh snow is expected. Danger of wet-snow avalanches will recede. On south-facing slopes up to high altitudes, hardly any snow on the ground. Also on shady slopes, intermediate altitudes are increasingly bare of snow. On very steep shady slopes at high altitudes, often unfavorable intermediate layers are evident inside the old snowpack.
Tendency
On the weekend, often sunny and mild. Avalanche danger levels will recede further and be subject to a daytime danger cycle.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Wet-snow avalanches possible, mostly small releases
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be problematic on slopes with sufficient snow. 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
In high-altitude ridgeline and summit terrain, a few cm of fresh snowfall is possible, rainfall lower down. The remaining snowpack is thoroughly wet. 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
Avalanche danger levels will not change significantly
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Isolated danger zones
Only naturally triggered wet-snow slides will recede as precipitation ends and temperatures drop, esp by large additional loading. Such danger zones occur on very steep slopes at high altitudes.
Snowpack
dp.3: rain dp.10: springtime scenario
Weather conditions are leading to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet. Many wet-snow avalanches have already released, many starting zones have completely discharged, the snowpack is thoroughly wet. On steep sunny slopes and below 1800m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
No significant change expected
Danger level
Isolated danger zones
Avalanche danger is low. In isolated cases, small glide-snow or wet-snow avalanches can release in steep terrain which has not yet discharged.
Snowpack
What little snow there is, is moist-to-wet, in other words, summer-firn.
Tendency
Slight daytime danger cycle (wet-snow activity) within the same Danger Level
