Fresh snow and drifts on wind-protected shady slopes often lie deposited atop surface hoar. Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger avalanches. In addition, isolated avalanches can be triggered in the weak old snow, particularly by large additional loading in shady, very steep backcountry touring terrain. These danger zones occur most of all in steep spots where the snow is relatively shallow and in transition from shallow to deep snow. If avalanches fracture down to deeper-down layers inside the snowpack, they can in isolated cases grow to large size.
Snowpack
Above about 1500m there was about 10cm of fresh snow registered on Thursday, less in Silvretta and Verwall. Fresh fallen snow and loosely-packed old snow will be transportred by intensifying foehn winds until Saturday midday. Thereafter, another 5-10cm of fresh snow will be added to it. The fresh fallen snow frequently lies atop surface hoar on shady slopes at all altitudes. The mid-part of the snowpack consists widespread of well settled, compact layers which on shady high-altitude slopes blanket a poorly structured old snowpack fundament.
Tendency
By Sunday, 15-25cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Accompanied by moderate-strength winds, generally small snowdrift accumulations can be generated near ridgelines at higher altitudes.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Beware snowdrifts on shady slopes
Fresh snow and fresh drifts lie often atop surface hoar on wind-protected, high-altitude shady slopes. Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger mostly small avalanches. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall also requires due consideration.
Snowpack
Above about 1500m there was 10-15cm of fresh fallen snow registered on Thursday. Fresh snow and loosely-packed old snow will be transported by intensifying foehn winds until Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning, an additional 5-10cm of fresh snow will be delivered, on shady slopes often lying deposited atop surface hoar at all altitudes. The mid-level of the snowpack consists widespread of well settled, compact layers which on shady slopes at high altitudes are blanketed by a poorly structured old snowpack fundament. This weak layer is thus no longer to be triggered by persons.
Tendency
By Sunday, 15-25cm of fresh snowfall is anticipated. Accompanied by moderate winds, small snowdrift accumulations can be generated near ridgelines at higher altitudes.
