Weak layers become reactive with moisture penetration.
The avalanche risk above 1800 m increases from moderate to considerable during the daytime changes. Below that, it is low in the morning and moderate later on. With sunshine, wet snow in combination with persistent weak layers becomes a problem. Particularly in extremely steep terrain, wet loose snow and slab avalanches release by themselves or with little additional load. Wet soft and slab avalanches reach medium size.
On steep slopes with smooth ground that have not yet been discharged, wet, medium-sized gliding avalanches can also occur at any time in all aspects.
Snowpack
The snow surface usually freezes through overnight and softens again with the sunlight. At high altitudes, there are potential weak layers, especially on shady slopes, in the area of crusts in the upper metres of the snowpack. In mild temperatures, the snowpack at higher altitudes in the northern aspects also becomes increasingly moist from above. The snowpack base is still dry at high altitudes and often consists of faceted crystals, while at medium altitudes it is usually wet. On the south side, the ground pales again at low altitudes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger is decreasing slightly.
EARLIER Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wet snow
2500m
LATER Danger level
2500m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2500m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
During the daytime changes, the readiness to trigger wet avalanches increases rapidly.
The avalanche danger below 2500 m increases rapidly to considerable during the daytime changes.
Damp and wet loose snow avalanches and snow slabs can be expected during the day changes in all aspects below around 2500 metres. The avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. They usually remain medium-sized, but can also become large in a few places. Spontaneous sliding snow avalanche activity can also be expected on typical slopes.
In a few places above 2200 m, weak layers in the persistent weak layer can also be triggered, especially on west-, north- and east-facing slopes, as well as south-facing slopes in the high Alps. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Snow slabs in the persistent weak layer can reach medium size, but in isolated cases avalanches can also tear through to the floating snow close to the ground and become large.
Snowpack
The outgoing longwave radiation at night is good. A melt-freeze crust forms, which quickly softens again during the day. Heat and moisture increasingly penetrate the snowpack, only in shady high and high alpine locations can you still find dry snow on the surface. At mid-altitude, the snow is already wet down to the ground. On shady slopes from around 2200 m, there are angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack, on the south side from around 2400 m. Fractures are most likely to occur on one of the uppermost crusts and only occasionally in the floating snow close to the ground. Some of the snow glides off the ground.
Tendency
Little change.
EARLIER Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
LATER Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Swiftly rising daytime avalanche danger. Near-surface weak layers can often be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts.
Following a night of clear skies, generally favorable backcountry touring conditions in early morning. However, avalanche danger increases rapidly due to solar radiation and daytime warming in all aspects below about 2400m, also above that altitude on very steep sun-exposed slopes. Naturally triggered avalanches can be expected; persons can trigger wet-snow slab avalanches. If near-surface avalanches fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack they can, in isolated cases, grow to large size. In addition, winter sports enthusiasts can trigger near-surface weak layers on high-altitude shady slopes. Danger zone are impossible to recognize. Attention: danger of taking a fall on hardened snowpack surfaces on steep slopes.
Snowpack
Good nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation will generate a gradually thicker melt-freeze crust which, however, will swiftly soften up during the course of the day. At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack, even on north-facing slopes, is thoroughly wet up to over 2000m. On high-altitude shady steep slopes there are unfavorable intermediate layers in the uppermost metre of the snowpack which in places can be triggered. A solid mid-section of compact layers inside the snowpack blankets a fundament of buried hoar and faceted crystals.
Tendency
Over the next few days, a daytime rhythm of avalanche danger will set in.
EARLIER Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wet snow
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
2200m
During the daytime changes, the readiness to trigger wet avalanches increases rapidly.
There is a moderate avalanche danger from around 2200 m, below which it rises rapidly from low to moderate during the day. Damp and wet loose snow avalanches and snow slabs are to be expected during the day in all aspects. The avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. They usually remain small to medium-sized. Sliding snow avalanche activity is also to be expected on typical slopes.
In a few places above 2200 m in the extended northern sector, weak layers in the persistent weak layer can also be addressed and the snow slabs can reach medium size.
Snowpack
The outgoing longwave radiation at night is good. A melt-freeze crust forms overnight, which quickly softens again during the day. Heat and moisture are increasingly penetrating the snowpack, with dry snow on the surface only at shady high altitudes. At medium altitudes, the snow cover is already wet down to the ground. On shady slopes from around 2200 metres upwards, the old snowpack contains angular shapes and deep rime. Fractures are most likely to occur in one of the uppermost crusts and only rarely in the floating snow near the ground. Some of the snow glides off the ground.
Tendency
Little change.
EARLIER Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Watch out for naturally triggered avalanches during the day!
The avalanche risk is generally low at first. During the daytime changes, it then increases rapidly to moderate, depending on altitude and aspect. Spontaneous small to medium, very rarely large, wet loose snow or slab avalanches from undischarged steep terrain should then be noted. Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be addressed throughout the day, particularly in shady, extreme terrain at high altitudes, especially due to large additional loads. Individual small gliding avalanches cannot be ruled out.
Snowpack
The snow surface can firmness overnight due to radiation and is then hard, crust can form and is also load-bearing. Depending on the altitude and aspect, it then softens with incoming radiation and mild temperatures. The snowpack is moist to wet on the inside. However, weak layers may still be present in the old snowpack, which is not yet moist, especially on shady slopes and at high altitudes. The snowpack can also start gliding snow on the ground.
Tendency
No significant change in the avalanche risk.
EARLIER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Main danger: wet-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is low in the morning and rises to moderate during the course of the day. On steep slopes with lots of snow and a smooth underground which have not yet discharged, glide-snow avalanches can trigger at any time of day or night in all aspects. Zones below glide cracks should be avoided. Due to daytime warming and solar radiation, wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally, particularly on extremely steep slopes. Avalanches can grow to medium size and place exposed hiking trails at risk.
Snowpack
The snowpack was weakened over the last few days due to lack of nocturnal outgoing radiation, local rain showers and daytime warming. It is thoroughly wet widespread.
Tendency
Over the next few days, a daytime rhythm of avalanche danger will set in.
EARLIER Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
1800m
LATER Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wet snow
Treeline
Blown snow
The main danger is from blowing snow. The snowpack stability is reduced, especially on slopes and in ravines, where the snow thickness is greater due to snow drifts.
Locally, weak layers in the snowpack deeper in the snowpack may be a problem. These weak layers are more prevalent in the axis above the forest. In particular, a medium-sized avalanche can be triggered by a large load exceeding the load-bearing capacity of these layers.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
A colder air mass will cause the snowpack to freeze overnight. During the day, the snow on Sunny slopes will become heavier, but not as heavy as in recent days. There is still some blowing snow from the last snowfall, which may be unstable. Some avalanches of southern snow are possible during the day.
In the old snow cover, the snow layers are mostly well connected. Deep below the surface, several weak layers of slush and sheared grains occur, which are more frequent on axial slopes.
Tendency
The danger of avalanches from southern snow will decrease due to colder weather. Thursday will be sunny, but could be quite windy, especially in the High alpine regions. On Friday, clouds will increase, and snow showers are possible.
EARLIER Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wet snow
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Strong increase in avalanche danger already in the morning!
Rapid increase in avalanche danger during the day in some cases
The avalanche danger increases from low to moderate during the day changes. After generally favourable conditions in the morning, the danger of naturally triggered avalanches often increases rapidly as the sun shines and the weather warms up. Medium-sized and occasionally large wet loose snow and slab avalanches can be expected in all aspects, in particular on sunny slopes. Wet avalanches can also be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. In addition, gliding avalanches can be triggered at any time on steep slopes with smooth ground.
In extremely steep, shady areas above 2000 m, small to medium-sized slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals (persistent weak layer problem).
Snowpack
With outgoing longwave radiation, the snow surface can consolidate, but softens again with the sun's rays. The hardness of the surface varies depending on the effect of the wind. With increasing moisture penetration, the snowpack loses firmness and stability. In addition to loose snow avalanches, spontaneous, wet slab avalanches can also be expected, as liquid water in the snowpack can reactivate former weak layers in the persistent weak layer. In very steep areas with a wet layer on the ground, the snowpack can slide off.
Only in very shady areas above 2000 m does the snowpack still have cold reserves and, in some cases, persistent weak layers in the old snow that are prone to triggering.
Tendency
Sunny mountain weather again on Thursday until the early afternoon. The avalanche danger will not change significantly.
EARLIER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Take care on hiking trails below steep slopes with lots of snow.
The avalanche risk is low in the morning and increases to moderate during the daytime changes. Gliding avalanches can occur at any time of day in all aspects on steep slopes with smooth ground that have not yet been discharged. Glide cracks indicate the danger. With sunlight, wet snow becomes the main problem during the day changes. Especially in extremely steep terrain, wet loose snow avalanches release themselves. Avalanches can reach medium size and hit exposed hiking trails.
Snowpack
Overnight, the snow surface freezes solid. It softens again quickly during the daytime changes. The snowpack is completely soaked up to high altitudes. At lower altitudes, the south-facing slopes are thawing out again.
Tendency
The activity of wet avalanches is decreasing somewhat.
EARLIER Danger level
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
During the daytime changes, wet avalanches are more likely to be triggered.
The avalanche risk is low. During the daytime changes, wet avalanches are more likely to be triggered in all aspects. The avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts, they usually remain small.
The risk of being swept away and falling should be taken into account.
Snowpack
The outgoing longwave radiation at night is good. A melt-freeze crust forms, which soon softens again during the day. Sun and warmth lead to increasing soaking of the snowpack.
Rather snow-poor shady slopes above around 1900 m: The lower part of the snowpack is faceted.
There is hardly any snow on steep sunny slopes at low and medium altitudes.
Tendency
Little change
EARLIER Danger level
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Few small wet avalanches.
The avalanche risk is low. During the daytime changes, small wet avalanches can occur spontaneously from undischarged avalanche paths or be triggered by a winter sports enthusiast. Gliding avalanches also occur occasionally.
Snowpack
A melt-freeze crust forms overnight, which softens again during the day. Underneath, the snowpack is moist to wet right down to the ground. The snow cover continues to thin out rapidly.
Tendency
Little change.
EARLIER Danger level
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Low avalanche danger, but watch out for spontaneous wet snow slides!
The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, during the daytime changes, the triggering of wet avalanches increases somewhat. Wet avalanches can mainly come from multiple starting zones that are not yet fully discharged. These are usually small but can also be easily triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts. The risk of being swept away and falling should be taken into account.
Only in extremely steep, shady areas above 2000 m can very occasionally small to medium-sized slab avalanches be triggered (persistent weak layer problem).
Snowpack
With outgoing longwave radiation, the snow surface can consolidate somewhat, but softens again with sunlight. The thin snowpack becomes damp or wet in all areas and loses firmness. Only in very shady areas above 2000 metres does the snowpack still have small cold reserves and occasional weak layers in the persistent weak layer.
In general, there is very little snow and the depletion is progressing.
Tendency
Sunny mountain weather again on Thursday until the early afternoon. The avalanche danger will not change significantly.
