Main danger: sliding away and falling atop hard, smooth surfaces and being swept along by small-sized snowdrift slides, particularly on north-facing slopes. Outside of that, winter sports enthusiasts can trigger small-sized loose-snow avalanches on very steep east-to-south-to-west facing slopes. Small-sized loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in steep rocky terrain.
Snowpack
Below 1500m heavy rain, above that altitude appx. 10-15cm of fresh snow from region to region. It will be deposited on a hardly frozen, mostly softened up surface, on shady slopes frequently atop surface hoar or a hardened rain crust. No further triggerings in older weak layers of the snowpack have been registered in recent days at the Avalanche Warning Service.
Tendency
On Friday no change expected, as the result of an intermediate high-pressure front.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
2200m
Wet snow + drifts on shady slopes
Isolated avalanches can still be triggered in the weak old snow by winter sports enthusiasts, particularly in little-skied backcountry terrain where the surface is not capable of bearing loads. Danger zones occur especially in spots where the snow is relatively shallow, and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Avalanches can trigger down to deeper layers inside the snowpack and grow to large size. Caution urged towards freshly generated snowdrift accumulations, particularly on steep shady slopes they are prone to triggering. On hard-frozen steep slopes, the danger of sliding and falling require special caution. In addition, isolated wet slab avalanches can be triggered in very steep terrain where no melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads was able to form during the night.
Snowpack
Below 1500m, heavy rain, above that altitude appx. 10cm of fresh snow, somewhat less in Verwall and Silvretta, on sunny slopes deposited atop a barely frozen surface, on shady slopes frequently atop surface hoar and below 2300-2500m atop a very hard rain crust. The middle layer of the snowpack often consists of settled, well consolidated layers which on shady slopes at higher altitudes blanket an old snow fundament with large sized cup-shaped crystals.
Tendency
On Friday no change expected, as the result of an intermediate high-pressure front.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Be aware of the persistent weak layer problem!
The avalanche risk is predominantly moderate above 1800 metres. There are still avalanche prone locations on shady slopes in steep terrain. Here and at the transition from little to more snow, isolated slab avalanches can be triggered by mostly large additional loads. Individual spontaneous wet snow avalanches are possible from unloaded steep slopes.
Snowpack
Rain showers and some new fallen snow above around 1200 metres until the afternoon. The new fallen snow will fall on a barely stabilized, partly crusted, otherwise often up to high altitudes moist or wet old snowpack. The snow base, fundament remains high and weakened on the shady slopes due to the kinetic metamorphism. At low altitude or sunny slopes, the snow cover remains bare or slightly "sugared".
Tendency
Little change.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Weak persistent layer is a persistent weak layer
The avalanche risk is moderate above 1800 metres and low below. There is still a persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector. Medium-sized slab avalanches can still be triggered by people in steep gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are usually difficult to recognise and are often located in transition areas from little to much snow.
The probability of triggering wet snow avalanches increases slightly during the daytime changes from very steep east- to south- to west-facing slopes.
In steep terrain, there is a risk of falling on the hard snow surface.
Snowpack
Outgoing longwave radiation is somewhat reduced from the second half of the night. As a result, the snow surface can often only consolidate weakly and soften increasingly on the sunny slopes depending on the incoming radiation. On shady slopes, there are still areas with a soft (faceted) snow surface at higher altitudes, where the firmness of the layer changes depending on the altitude and exposure. Below this there is an increasingly sufficiently settled and compact snowpack, the transition to the foundation consisting of deep rime (floating snow) is still poor. Medium (sunny slopes) and low altitudes are largely free of snow.
Tendency
Quite sunny and dry on Friday and Saturday. With a wind shift to the south-west, it will be partly foehn. Little change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Few avalanche prone locations with high consequences
The avalanche risk is moderate above around 2000 metres and low below. In a few places, especially in the aspects from west to north to east, medium, occasionally still large, dry slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals. Danger areas are difficult to recognise. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow.
Occasional wet snow avalanches triggered by people on the sunny slopes with soaking of the snowpack are possible. The likelihood of gliding avalanches is slightly increased.
Snowpack
The snowpack outgoing longwave radiation is greatly reduced overnight and only just a thin melt-freeze crust forms. In shady high altitudes, soft, faceted snow can often still be found on the surface. Below this lies a well-set sequence of compact drift snow layers, in which a crust in combination with faceted crystals is usually still embedded. The connection at the transition to the old snow foundation, which consists mainly of deep rime, is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers are largely snowed out.
Tendency
No significant change in the avalanche danger as the weather improves on Friday.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Weak layers persist deep in the snowpack
The problem is the weak layers in the snowpack, which are deeper in the snowpack. If the load exceeds the load-bearing capacity of the deeper Weak layers, a deep and large avalanche can be triggered. There are many such weak layers, especially on axis above the forest.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The snow has settled and, especially on the Sunny slopes, has already transformed quite well. Layers of snow have bonded together and the surface is crusty in many places. Several weak layers of faceted snow crystals and coarse grains are found deep below the surface in the old snow cover.
Tendency
It will clear up on Tuesday. Faster in the high alpine regions than in the mid mountains. There will be no major warming. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
Low risk of isolated wet snow avalanches
The avalanche risk is low. Occasional small wet snow avalanches are possible on the few sunny slopes that have not yet been discharged.
In addition, small snow slabs can still be triggered in exceptional cases in the entrance areas of steep gullies on shady slopes with large additional loads. The risk of being swept away and falling on icy surfaces generally outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
Low and sunny mid-altitude areas are snowed out. Where present, the snowpack is moist to wet and well settled right up to the summit areas. The snowpack outgoing longwave radiation is greatly reduced overnight and only just a thin melt-freeze crust forms. In the higher areas on shady slopes, there are still weak layers of large faceted crystals in the lower part of the snowpack, especially near the ground.
Tendency
No significant change in the avalanche danger as the weather improves on Friday.
Danger level
Isolated wet snow avalanches!
The avalanche risk is predominantly low. Sporadic spontaneous wet snow avalanches are possible from unloaded steep slopes. There are still isolated avalanche prone locations on shady slopes in steep terrain where slab avalanches can be triggered by large additional loads.
Snowpack
Rain showers and some new fallen snow above around 1200 metres until the afternoon. The new fallen snow will fall on a barely stabilized, partly crusted, otherwise often up to high altitudes moist or wet old snowpack. The snow base, fundament remains high and weakened on the shady slopes due to the kinetic metamorphism. At low altitude or sunny slopes, the snow cover remains bare or slightly "sugared".
Tendency
Little change.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
A little more snow falls in western regions.
The avalanche risk is low. Wet snow is the main problem. In particular, small loose snow avalanches can detach themselves from the rocky steep terrain in the sunlight. Smaller gliding avalanches are possible on individual, very steep slopes with smooth ground.
On very steep north-facing slopes at higher elevations, medium slab avalanches can also be triggered in isolated cases with a large additional load. This is particularly the case at transitions from a little to a lot of snow.
Snowpack
At higher altitudes, the new fallen snow comes to rest on a hard snow surface on the north side. Where it is transported by the wind, it can be bound together like boards. Where there is still a snowpack on the south side, the snow falls on a slightly damp snow surface, otherwise on the bare ground. Soft snow loses its bond with the sun's rays. Occasionally, weak layers of faceted crystals can be found deep under a compact snowpack on the shady slopes of higher summit and ridge areas adjacent to the summit. There is hardly any snow at low altitudes.
Tendency
Depending on the amount of precipitation, the danger of dry avalanches may increase slightly towards the weekend.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Note the persistent weak layer
The avalanche risk is low. Medium-sized slab avalanches can still be triggered in a few hard-to-recognise places, especially in the extended northern sector above 1800 m, but usually only with a large additional load. This is in particular at the transitions from little to more snow.
On the sunny slopes, isolated wet snow avalanches are possible as the snowpack softens. These usually remain small.
Snowpack
The snowpack outgoing longwave radiation is greatly reduced overnight and only just a thin melt-freeze crust forms. In shady high altitudes, some soft, faceted snow can still be found on the surface, some of which has already crusted can form. Below this lies a mostly well-set sequence of compact drift snow layers, in which, however, a crust in combination with faceted crystals is usually still embedded. The connection at the transition to the old snow foundation, which consists mainly of deep rime, is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers are largely snowed out.
Tendency
No significant change in the avalanche danger as the weather improves on Friday.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Latent persistent weak layer problem, slightly increasing wet snow problem
The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector. Occasionally, mainly in very steep gullies and bowls, slab avalanches can be triggered by people. The avalanche prone locations are usually difficult to recognise and are often located in transition areas from a little to a lot of snow.
On sunny slopes, incoming radiation increases the probability of triggering small wet snow avalanches.
In steep terrain, there is a risk of falling on the hard snow surface.
Snowpack
With outgoing longwave radiation, a melt-freeze crust can form, which softens on the sunny slopes during the day with increasing moisture penetration. On shady slopes at higher altitudes, there are still isolated areas with a soft (faceted) snow surface, where the firmness of the layer changes depending on altitude and exposure. Below this there is an increasingly sufficiently settled and compact snowpack, the transition to the foundation consisting of deep rime (floating snow) is still poor. Medium and low altitudes are often free of snow.
Tendency
Quite sunny and dry on Friday and Saturday. With a wind shift to the south-west, it will be partly foehn. Little change in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Low avalanche danger. Occasional wet snow slides are possible.
The avalanche risk is low. With the arrival of rain, wet snow slides are possible in the afternoon from the few steep slopes that are not unloaded. In the high areas on shady slopes, small slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered in the old snow. In general, the risk of falling and injury clearly outweighs the risk of burial. Take care in partly icy, steep gullies.
Snowpack
The night is partly cloudy. As a result, only a thin melt-freeze crust usually forms, which quickly softens again during the day as the clouds increase. In the summit areas, the snow surface is hard and sometimes icy due to wind and rain. In gullies and bowls, the wind slab is well stabilised. Faceted crystals partially weaken the snow base, fundament at higher elevations in the northern sector. There is only a little snow below 1400 metres, below 1600 metres on sunny slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger remains low. On Thursday, a weak disturbance will bring a little more cloud and less sunshine. Local rain showers are possible in the afternoon. The frost line will be around 2000 metres. The wind will remain weak.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wet snow
In addition to old and wet snow, wind slab snow can be problematic in some places.
The avalanche risk is low. The main problem is a persistent weak layer. Avalanche prone locations are mainly in the northern aspects of the high altitudes on very steep slopes as well as in gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can be triggered with a large additional load and can reach medium size. Take care at transitions from little to much snow.
During the daytime changes, smaller loose snow avalanches can also release themselves from the steep terrain interspersed with rocks. At medium altitudes, individual small to medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible on slopes with a smooth surface.
Snowpack
In shady high altitudes, weak layers of faceted crystals can be found close to the ground under a compact snowpack and close to the surface under a thin melt-freeze crust. The new fallen snow comes to rest on the north side of the melt-freeze crust. Where it is transported by the wind, it is bound like a board. On the south side, the snow falls on a slightly moist snow surface and in many places at medium altitudes on the bare ground. Soft snow loses its bond with the sun's rays. At medium elevations, the snowpack is wet towards the ground. There is hardly any snow at low altitudes.
Tendency
With wind and snowfall, the wind slab problem comes to the fore.
