Rätikon West

Fresh snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

Fresh snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, behind discontinutiies and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and increase with ascending altitude. A small-to-medium slab avalanche can be triggered by 1 person. Activities in backcountry demand experience in outlying terrain and the ability to assess avalanche dangers on-site.. Naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches in rocky steep terrain are possible. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger below 2600 m at any time of day or night and reach medium size. Caution urged below glide cracks.

Accompanied by intermittently strong winds there has been 15-20 cm of fresh snow registered, locally more. Particularly in ridgeline terrain, snowdrift accumulations have been generated, deposited atop soft layers, otherwise atop hard old snowpack layers. Weak trigger-prone layers are evident inside the fresh snowdrift accumulations. In addition, in high shady terrain there are near-surface weak layers evident which are trigger-prone. Warm ground and the wet snowpack base reinforce the gliding movements of the entire snowpack. Below 1400 m there is hardly any snow on the ground.

Tuesday daytime: initially reduced visibility due to clouds and snowfall down to 800 m. In the afternoon, improved visibility, intermittent sunshine. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. Moderate to brisk N/NW winds.

Wednesday will be sunny, with increasing winds from the southwest, and somewhat warmer. Danger of dry-snow avalanches will not change significantly. Glide-snow avalanche danger will persist.