Lawinenlagebericht

Below 2500m wet-snow + glide-snow avalanches. Avoid older high-altitude drifts.

Below 2500m wet-snow + glide-snow avalanches. Avoid older high-altitude drifts.

Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are often prone to triggering, especially on north-facing slopes. Avalanche prone locations occur particularly in ridgeline and pass areas above about 2200m. These should be avoided, mostly because of the risks of being forced to take a fall. Danger of wet-snow avalanches swiftly rising, triggered naturally and by skiers below 2500 m, small-to-medium sized, sometimes large-sized. Glide snow avalanches can trigger especially on E/S/W facing slopes, loose-snow avalanches can also grow to large size. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

Gray skies during the night, minor rainfall below 2000-2200m, loss of snowpack firmness thereby, which will be further reinforced by daytime warming and solar radiation. The snowpack is moist up to intermediate altitudes. On very steep grassy slopes the gliding movement of the snowpack is enhanced. As a result of strong S/SW winds the small amount of fresh snow was transported, depositing small, fresh snowdrift accumulations on north-facing slopes atop a layer of faceted crystals: prone to triggering.

Wednesday will start with residual cloud and fog, which will rapidly disperse, make way for the sun and better visibility. Dust from the Sahara is still coming our way, making light conditions diffuse. Mild (zero-degree level just below 3000m). At 2000 m: 4 degrees. Moderate to brisk NW winds.

Following a partly cloudy night, sunshine is anticipated on Thursday. Due to Sahara dust in the air, it will be impaired. In early morning are the most favorable conditions, later on the risk of wet-snow avalanches rises. Backcountry tours should start early, end early.