Frequent wet-snow avalanches – Fresh high-altitude drifts prone to triggering
Particularly in areas with rain impact, increasingly frequent small-to-medium wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches are possible. At high altitudes, fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumlations were generated. Small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. In addition, slab avalanches can be triggered in the old snow by large additional loading in some places. Caution urged on high-altitude very steep shady slopes.
Snowpack
At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is being weakened by heavy rainfall. Several medium-to-large sized avalanches have already been reported. Above 2200m there was 20-30cm of fresh snow registered. As a result of strong winds it was transported and generated fresh snowdrift accumulations. These are prone to triggering. At high altitudes, particularly on shady slopes, faceted intermediate layers occur inside the snowpack, they are trigger-sensitive in places.
Tendency
Very sunny, very mild. Therefore, increasingly frequent small-to-medium sized wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches possible.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Gliding snow
2500m
Rain up to 2500 m leads to an increase in avalanche danger
The avalanche danger is considerable above 2000 metres and moderate below. The risk of avalanches increases at all altitudes with rain and snowfall. Small to medium-sized snow slabs and loose snow avalanches can detach spontaneously during precipitation. Slab avalanches can also be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts with little additional pressure. Danger spots for this are located particularly on steep slopes with exposures from west to north to east, especially at the transitions from little to much snow as well as behind terrain edges and near ridges. Slab avalanches in fresh and older drift snow can become medium-sized when breaking through into deeper layers. Some of the danger spots are covered in snow and difficult to recognise!
With the rain, more small sliding snow avalanches are possible again. Areas under sliding snow avalanches should be avoided. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of being swept away and falling should also be taken into account!
Snowpack
A warm front brings precipitation and it rains up to around 2500 metres. On the one hand, the precipitation puts additional stress on existing weak layers, on the other hand, the rain causes the snow slab to form better on the weak layer, making it more susceptible to disruption for winter sports enthusiasts. The old snow cover contains several layers of angular crystals, which are susceptible to disruption. These can be found in particular on the western, northern and eastern slopes above 2400 metres. In addition, there are fresh and older accumulations of drift snow on soft layers that are prone to disturbance. In the steep grass mat terrain, the entire snow cover slides off the ground.
Tendency
Slow decline in avalanche danger, weak layers in old snow remain susceptible to disruption.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Rising avalanche danger as a result of rainfall
Avalanche danger is moderate. As a result of the mild temperatures and rain impact, increasingly frequent wet-snow slides and glide-snow avalanches are possible. Due to the low snow depths, the avalanches will be small.
Snowpack
The rainfall was heavier than foreast and thereby, the shallow old snowpack was increasingly weakened at low and intermediate altitudes. Above 2000m, strong-velocity winds initially transported the snow and generated small snowdrift accumulations.
Tendency
Very sunny, very mild. Increasingly frequent small-to-medium sized wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches are thus possible.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Wind slab
2400m
Sliding snow avalanches can occasionally reach medium size.
The avalanche danger is moderate. Wet snow is the main problem. Wet sliding snow avalanches can detach themselves on very steep slopes with smooth ground. Wet, spontaneous loose snow avalanches are possible from extremely steep terrain. Sliding snow avalanches can occasionally reach medium size, loose snow avalanches usually remain small.
Drift snow can be problematic in the highest summit and ridge areas. Danger spots can be found in the steep terrain close to the crest in the northern exposures. Accumulations of drifting snow can be triggered as mostly small slab avalanches with a small additional load.
Snowpack
The snow cover becomes increasingly wet with rain. Loose, unbound snow loses its firmness. Where the moisture reaches the ground, there is increased sliding movement on smooth ground. It is snowing at the highest altitudes. Snow is transported by strong winds in places. Fresh and occasionally older drift snow lies on softer layers, especially on the shaded side, and is susceptible to disruption.
Tendency
The avalanche danger is slowly decreasing.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Gliding snow
Small wet snow and sliding snow avalanches are the main danger
The avalanche danger is moderate. With the arrival of rain, more small, wet loose snow avalanches spontaneously break loose from extremely steep terrain. Sliding snow avalanches occur more frequently in steep grassy terrain. The avalanches usually remain small, occasionally they can be medium-sized. Areas of terrain underneath snow pockets should be avoided.
Snowpack
The rain up to the summit areas weakens the existing, mostly thin snow cover. The snow cover can slide off on steep grassy terrain.
Tendency
After the end of the precipitation, spontaneous loose snow avalanches quickly decrease again, while the sliding snow activity remains.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Gliding snow
2500m
Rain up to 2500 m leads to an increase in avalanche danger
The avalanche risk is moderate. During the main precipitation, small snow slabs and loose snow avalanches can occur spontaneously. Slab avalanches can also be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts with little additional pressure. Danger spots for this are located particularly on steep slopes with exposures from west to north to east, especially at the transitions from little to much snow as well as behind terrain edges and near ridges. Slab avalanches in fresh and older drift snow can occasionally become medium-sized when breaking through into deeper layers. Some of the danger spots are covered in snow and difficult to recognise!
With the rain, more small sliding snow avalanches are possible again. Areas under sliding snow avalanches should be avoided. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of being swept away and falling should also be taken into account!
Snowpack
A warm front brings precipitation and it rains up to around 2500 metres. On the one hand, the precipitation puts additional stress on existing weak layers, on the other hand, the snow slab forms better on the weak layer, making it more susceptible to disruption for winter sports enthusiasts. The old snow cover contains several layers of angular crystals, which are susceptible to disruption. These can be found in particular on the western, northern and eastern slopes above 2400 metres. In addition, there are fresh and older accumulations of drift snow on soft layers that are prone to disturbance. In the steep grass mat terrain, the entire snow cover slides off the ground.
Tendency
Slow decline in avalanche danger, weak layers in old snow remain susceptible to disruption.
EARLIER Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1500m
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
LATER Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1500m
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
As the weather warms up, the risk of avalanches from wet snow will increase during the day.
The warming temperatures could lead to more spontaneous avalanches of wet snow on Monday during the day on sloping terrain. In arid areas above the tree line, weak layers are present in the snow cover. In a few places, a small to medium sized snow avalanche can be triggered under higher loads.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
In recent days, the crust has been building up on the slopes in sunny weather. Snow cover remains lighter in shadier and sheltered areas. Mostly, however, it is increasingly transformed by wind and sun. In arid areas, weak layers may be present in the snow cover. During the day tomorrow, the snow cover will become more pronounced and unstable on sloping terrain.
Tendency
Especially on steep slopes, the risk of avalanches will increase during the day and decrease rapidly in the evening.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Small wet-snow avalanches due to rain
Avalanche danger is low. As a result of mild temperatures and light rainfall, wet slides and glide-snow avalanches are possible. Due to the shallow depths of snow, avalanches will remain small.
Snowpack
At low and intermediate altitudes rain impact has increasingly weakened the shallow snowpack.
Tendency
Very sunny and mild. Thereby, increasingly frequency wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Danger level
Warming and rain bring a slight increase in avalanche danger
The avalanche risk is low. With the warming and the rain, small loose and sliding snow slides occur, especially until the morning. In addition, small snow slabs can occasionally be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts on very and extremely steep, shaded terrain. The risk of injury and entrapment exceeds the risk of burial.
Snowpack
The rain weakens the existing snow cover, some of which loses its bond or can slide off the ground. In the shady high altitudes, drifting snow is lying in places on an unfavourably built-up old snow cover with soft layers of angular crystals, which are still prone to disruption in places. Overall, there is still little snow in the terrain.
