Naturally triggered avalanches expected during course of day
Rising wet-snow avalanche danger during course of day
During the course of the day, danger of wet-snow avalanches will increase. Isolated wet slab avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. After the melt-freeze crust (capable of bearing loads) softens up, also naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches are possible. Caution urged particularly towards steep shady slopes at 2200-2500m which have not yet discharged and slopes in all aspects where there is area-wide snow on the ground. Avalanches can fracture in weak old snowpack layers, in isolated cases grow to large size and lay back huge runout zones, quite atypically. On steep slopes with lots of snow on the ground which have not yet discharged with smooth underground, such as grass-covered slopes or rock plates, glide-snow avalanches can release in all aspects. In addition, winter sports enthusiasts can trigger isolated avalanches in near-surface weak layers on high-altitude shady slopes. Such danger zones are nearly impossible to recognize.
Snowpack
During the night, a melt-freeze crust will form which is capable of bearing loads, then soften up during the daytime. At altitudes of 1800-2500m the ground-level layer of rotten snow is thoroughly wet even on north-facing slopes and is prone to triggering. On shady, steep high-altitude slopes there are unfavorable intermediate layers in the uppermost metre of the snowpack which can be triggering in some places. A deep mid-level section of compact layers blankets a fundament of buried hoar and faceted crystals.
Tendency
Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation will be limited. During the daytime on Sunday, temperatures will gradually drop, shower activity increase. The snowfall level will descend from 2200 down to 1800m. Danger of wet-snow avalanches will continue.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Gliding snow
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Spring diurnal cycles, possibility of triggering gliding avalanches.
The Old snow cover is mostly well connected and stable, with the exception of some shady areas above 1800 m.
Gliding avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
On a clear night, the surface of the snowpack will thinly freeze. It will soon dry out in the morning and remain soft into the night.
Sunny slopes are already quite dry even in the high alpine regions.
In the old snow cover, the snow layers are mostly well connected. More or less deep below the surface, there are several weak layers of faceted snow crystals and discontinuous grains, which are more frequent on the axial slopes above 1800 m.
Tendency
Sunday morning will be sunny, clouding up by mid-day.
EARLIER Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
LATER Danger level
3000m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
3000m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Pronounced daytime changes lead to wet snow problem
During daytime changes, the danger quickly increases to level 3 "considerable". After softening of the often load-bearing melt-freeze crust, some large spontaneous wet snow avalanches are possible everywhere. Particularly at risk are steep areas in the extended northern sector between 2200 m and 2600 m, terrain that has not yet been discharged on high east, west and south-facing slopes, and generally those aspects where there is still a lot of snow. In wet snow, avalanches can tear through to the ground, run out untypically far and penetrate into the green. Triggering by winter sports and occasionally even remote triggering are possible.
In the morning, the avalanche risk is moderate above around 2400 metres in steep terrain from west to north to east. There are individual avalanche prone locations in the dry persistent weak layer, high alpine also in the southern sector. Take care in the transitions from little to lots of snow.
Snowpack
Overnight, a mostly stable melt-freeze crust forms, which softens during the day. Beneath this lies compact snow characterised by rain up to high altitudes, but softer layers are embedded, especially at higher altitudes, which enable fractures near the surface. On shady slopes from around 2400 metres, there are still weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack becomes moist to wet up to high altitudes during daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are covered in snow.
Tendency
The outgoing longwave radiation at night is limited and it cools down slightly during the day. The danger of wet avalanches remains.
EARLIER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Wet-snow danger in very steep terrain where there is still lots of snow
During the course of the day, danger of wet-snow avalanches will increase to moderate. Isolated wet slab avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Avalanche prone locations occur generally only in summit zones. Avalanches will generally be medium-sized. On steep slopes where there is still lots of snow on smooth ground, glide-snow avalanches can trigger in all aspects.
Snowpack
During the night, a melt-freeze crust will form which is capable of bearing loads, then soften up during the daytime. The snowpack is thoroughly wet up to summit zones in all aspects. Low altitude zones are bare of snow. On sunny slopes the ground is becoming bare of snow up to high altitudes.
Tendency
Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation will be limited. During the daytime on Sunday, temperatures will gradually drop, shower activity increase. The snowfall level will descend from 2200 down to 1800m. Danger of wet-snow avalanches will continue.
EARLIER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Avalanche danger already increases in the morning!
The avalanche risk is low in the morning hours and then increases to moderate. There is a danger of wet loose snow and slab avalanches from terrain that has not yet been unloaded as incoming radiation and warming increase. These can detach themselves or be triggered by a small additional load from people and are usually small to medium in size. Gliding avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
During the night, the snowpack can consolidate due to outgoing longwave radiation. However, it quickly softens again with solar radiation and warming. The soaking can reactivate old weak layers in the persistent weak layer, especially on the north side. In all aspects, the soaked snowpack can lose its stability or begin to glide on slippery ground. The snow cover is rapidly thinning out.
Tendency
A weak cold front will move through on Sunday, with a rising north-westerly wind leading to showers with snowfall levels above 2000 metres. The wet snow problem remains dominant despite slight cooling.
EARLIER Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Ascent to moderate avalanche danger!
The avalanche risk is low in the morning, but then increases to moderate at higher altitudes with a sufficiently thick snowpack. Spontaneous or occasional small to medium wet snow avalanches triggered by people are possible from undischarged steep terrain in all aspects. Only high alpine and on shady slopes could slab avalanches be triggered in very steep terrain, in some cases by low additional loads.
Snowpack
The snowpack can consolidate on the surface as a result of outgoing longwave radiation at night, and then breaks down at different rates during the day depending on the aspect and altitude, becomes soft and loses firmness again. Inside, it is wet up to high altitudes anyway, otherwise it is damp and therefore unstable and continues to degrade. Milder temperatures and frequent sunshine further destabilise the snowpack. Only on shady slopes can there still be isolated weak layers in the old snowpack. Low and progressively also sunny mid-altitude locations are bare.
Tendency
Moderate avalanche danger due to rain and snow showers.
EARLIER Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Pronounced daytime changes lead to wet snow problem
During daytime changes, the danger quickly increases to level 2 "moderate". After the often load-bearing melt-freeze crust has softened, spontaneous wet snow avalanches are possible wherever there is still a large area of snow, i.e. on shady slopes at higher altitudes and on the remaining eastern and western slopes. Avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by winter sports. They usually remain medium in size, but with the accumulation of wet snow and tearing through to weak layers close to the ground, large avalanches are conceivable in exceptional cases. Uncharacteristically long run-out lengths threaten open terrain.
The avalanche risk is low in the morning. Trigger points for dry old snow avalanches are only present at a few high points in the extended northern sector.
Snowpack
Overnight, a mostly stable melt-freeze crust forms, which softens during the day. Underneath is compact snow characterised by rain, but on shady slopes from around 2200 metres there are still weak layers of deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack will become damp to wet up to high altitudes during the daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are snowed out.
Tendency
Outgoing longwave radiation is limited at night and it cools down a little during the day. The danger of wet avalanches remains.
EARLIER Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
LATER Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
Wet snow
1600m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
The activity of wet avalanches increases during the day changes.
The avalanche risk rises to moderate above 1600 metres during the daytime changes, below that the danger is low all day. Wet snow is the main problem. Wet loose snow avalanches are to be expected where there is still a lot of snow. In extremely steep terrain in all aspects, they usually release themselves. On steep slopes with smooth ground, such as meadow slopes or rock slabs, wet gliding avalanches can occur. Avalanches reach medium size.
In isolated cases, persistent weak layers can be problematic in the northern aspects of the high altitudes. On very steep slopes, medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals.
Snowpack
At night, the snow surface freezes solid before it softens again, sometimes quickly, with the sun's rays. In general, the snowpack is soaked up to high altitudes and consists mainly of snowmelt. In places, layers of faceted crystals can still be found deep in the snowpack at high altitudes exposed to the north. On the south side, the ground is gradually thawing up to high altitudes.
Tendency
Rain is forecast for Sunday. Wet avalanches are to be expected all day.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Small wet-snow slides possible
On extremely steep slopes, persons can in isolated cases trigger wet loose-snow slides where there is still sufficient snow on the ground.
Snowpack
Lower altitude zones are bare of snow. On sunny slopes the ground is becoming bare of snow. Where there is a snowpack, it is thoroughly wet. During the night, a crust forms which is capable of bearing loads, then softens up during daytime hours.
Tendency
Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation will be limited. During the daytime on Sunday, temperatures will gradually drop, shower activity increase. The snowfall level will descend from 2200 down to 1800m. Danger of wet-snow avalanches will continue.
EARLIER Danger level
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Be aware of the risk of small, wet avalanches.
The avalanche risk is low. Wet snow can become problematic during the daytime changes. In extremely steep terrain, loose snow avalanches can occasionally come loose. Wet gliding avalanches can occur on steep slopes with smooth ground that have not yet been discharged. Avalanche activity is limited to terrain on shady slopes where there is still snow. Wet avalanches usually remain small.
Snowpack
At night, the surface of the remaining snowpack capable of bearing loads freezes through. It usually softens again quickly with the sunlight. In general, the snowpack is soaked everywhere and has no stratification. Southern sides are largely free of snow and on the northern sides the ground is puffing up to higher altitudes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger does not change.
EARLIER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
LATER Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Low avalanche danger!
The avalanche risk is again subject to slight daytime changes but remains low. Only on steep slopes at higher altitudes with a sufficiently thick snowpack are local, mostly small, sometimes medium wet snow avalanches still possible in all aspects during the day.
Snowpack
The snowpack can consolidate on the surface as a result of outgoing longwave radiation at night, and during the day, depending on the aspect and altitude, it will soften and lose firmness again. Inside, it is wet up to high altitudes anyway, otherwise it is damp and therefore unstable and continues to degrade. Milder temperatures and frequent sunshine further destabilise the snowpack. Low and progressively not only sunny mid-altitude locations are covered in snow.
Tendency
Moderate avalanche danger due to rain and snow showers.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Small wet snow avalanches in snowy places during daytime changes
The avalanche risk is low. The last remnants of snow can spontaneously descend as small wet snow slides. This increases the risk of avalanches in the fall terrain.
Snowpack
There is still a little snow in places at altitude, but most of the terrain is already snowed out. The surface often freezes overnight, but softens quickly during the daytime changes.
Tendency
Slow reduction in avalanche danger due to melting of the remaining snow.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Low avalanche danger, occasional small wet snow slides possible
The avalanche risk is low. Small wet snow slides can occur occasionally in all aspects, especially from multiple starting zones that have not yet been fully discharged. The risk of entrainment in the fall terrain outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
The thin snowpack can consolidate overnight and quickly softens again during the day. There is only a little snow left and the sunny slopes are usually already snowed out.
Tendency
A weak cold front will move through on Sunday, with a rising north-westerly wind leading to showers with a snowfall level above 2000 metres. The avalanche danger remains low.
