Dropping temperatures plus fresh snow plus wind: moderate snowdrift problem at high altitudes
Avalanche danger above 2600m is moderate. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are triggerable in a few places by low additional loading, esp. on north-facing slopes above 2600m, in other aspects higher up. Avalanche releases are mostly small, in isolated cases medium-sized. In steep terrain which has not yet discharged, small-to-medium wet-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day or night, or else be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Also isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
F
Tendency
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2600m
Slight increase in avalanche danger due to fresh snowfall
Fresh snowfall and small fresh snowdrifts are increasingly prone to triggering with ascending altitude. Avalanche prone locations occur in ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Small triggerings are possible by winter sports enthusiasts, In isolated cases, small glide-snow avalanches are also possible. Esp. in the Silvretta above 2600m by large additional loading, small-to-medium avalanches can be triggered in the old snow. Such danger zones occur in seldom-tracked, shady backcountry touring areas and are difficult to recognize.
Snowpack
Another 10-15cm of fresh snow at high alttitudes. Amid intermittently moderate-velocity winds, small snowdrift accumulations will be generated anew in ridgeline terrain. The old snowpack is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes. In the Silvretta in particular, very steep shaday slopes often have unfavorable intermediate layers inside the snowpack. Very little information from outlying terrain is available to the Avalanche Warning Service.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Due to higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation, increasingly frequent loose snow slides and small avalanches will be possible.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1800m
Wind slab
2200m
Snow quantities relevant for avalanches now only on shady side slopes above 1800m.
Avalanche danger above 1800m is moderate. Wet snow can be problematic on isolated slopes with sufficient snow. Small wet loose snow avalanches are possible in extremely steep terrain, in particular on Wednesday at dusk. Medium-sized glide-snow avalanches are possible on slopes over smooth ground as well as over meadows or rock slabs.
Snowpack
Up to high altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly moist. Barely any layering left in the snowpack. South-facing slopes are widespread bare. Above approx. 1500m there is mostly a continuous snowfield on the shady side.
Tendency
Wet loose snow activity will decrease by the weekend due to cooler temperatures.
Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2600m
Wet snow
2600m
Beware wet-snow and snowdrifts in high-alpine terrain
Wet-snow avalanches can in isolated cases be triggered by one winter sports enthusiast and grow to medium size. These avalanche prone locations are located particularly on W/N/E-facing slopes below 2600m. Rainfall is anticipated in the afternoon, thereby the likelihood of triggerings will increase. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by one sole skier on very steep shady slopes above 2600m. S danger zones occur esp. in ridgeline terrain.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.10: springtime scenario
Nocturnal outgoing radiation is reduced. Sunny slopes below 3000m: the old snowpack is wet. Snowfall is expected above 2200m, the fresh fallen snow will be moist. Many starting zones have already completely discharged. Shady slopes below 2600m: the old snowpack is wet. Snowfall is expected above 2200m. Weather condtions have led to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet, forfeiting firmness of the snowpack. Many wet-snow avalanches have already released, many starting zones have completely discharged, the snowpack is thoroughly wet. Due to often strong-velocity southerly winds, snowdrift accumulations have been generated, lie deposited atop soft layers. Below 2000m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Above 2200m up to 20cm of fresh snow is anticipated, locally more.
Danger level
2300m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2300m
Wet snow
2300m
Beware wet snow
Wet-snow avalanches can in isolated cases be triggered by one winter sports enthusiast and grow to medium size. These avalanche prone locations are located particularly on W/N/E-facing slopes. Rainfall is anticipated in the afternoon, thereby the likelihood of triggerings will increase somewhat.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
Weather conditions have led to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet, forfeiting firmness of the snowpack. Many wet-snow avalanches have already released, many starting zones have completely discharged, the snowpack is thoroughly wet. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is severely reduced, the snowpack hardly freezes, then soften rapidly in the morning hours. On steep sunny slopes below 1700m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Rainfall anticipated over widespread areas. Many starting zones have completely discharged.
Danger level
Hardly any avalanche prone locations left.
Avalanche danger is low. On extremely steep slopes, spontaneous releases of small wet loose snow or glide-snow avalanches cannot be ruled out.
Snowpack
Barely any continuous snow covers left. Only on the shady side above 1500m are there still larger snowfields in some places. The snow is completely soaked but stable.
Tendency
Avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Beware wet snow. Isolated danger zones.
Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches can be triggered esp. by large additional loading, most releases are small. Danger zones occur on W/N/E-facing slopes. Some rainfall is expected, which will then increase the likelihood of triggerings somewhat.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
Weather conditions have led to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet. Many wet-snow avalanches have already released, many starting zones have completely discharged. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation hardly exists. The snowpack surface can barely freeze and softens rapidly. 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 for wet-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is low. In isolated cases, small glide-snow or wet-snow avalanches can release in steep terrain which has not yet discharged or it can be triggered by persons.
Snowpack
On sunny slopes, the ground is becoming bare. What little snow there is, is moist-to-wet (0-degree isotherm) and often forms a crust capable of bearing loads after a night of clear skies. Daytime warming and solar radiation soften the crust and make it forfeit its firmness.
Tendency
Little change expected
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2000m
Small spontaneous loose and wet-snow avalanches possible.
The avalanche danger is assessed as low. The few danger spots are located above 2000m in extremely steep, north-facing slopes and gullies that have not yet been unloaded. Spontaneous loose and wet-snow avalanches cannot be ruled out there.
Snowpack
The snowcover is till high altitudes wet or moist. On southern exposed slopes the snow has almost fully retreated and the retreatment increases. Some fresh snow is deposited on the wet old snow cover or on the warm meadow.
Tendency
No significant change of the avalanche danger is expected.
Danger level
Little snow on the ground, low avalanche danger
Avalanche danger is low. The small amount of fresh snow fell on bare ground in many places. At high altitudes it is will bonded with the old snowpack. In isolated cases, small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
At high altitudes 5-10cm of fresh snow, deposited atop a moistened old snowpack surface. Bare ground at low and intermediate altitudes. All in al, a cohesive area-wide snowpack exists only above 1800m. Very little information from outlying terrain is available to the Avalanche Warning Service.
Tendency
On Saturday, quite sunny, and warmer. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
