Lechquellen Mountains

Weak old snowpack regionally in steep shady terrain

Weak old snowpack regionally in steep shady terrain

Avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts, particularly in little-skied terrain in west-, north-, and east-facing aspects, as well as on steep sunny slopes above 2600m. Danger zones occur especially in spots where the snow is relatively shallow, and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Avalanches can trigger down to deeper layers inside the snowpack and grow to large size. A cautious route selection and maintaining safety distances between tourers in ascent and descent are recommended. On hard-frozen steep slopes, the danger of sliding and falling require special caution. During the course of the day, naturally triggered small wet-snow avalanches are possible on sunny, steep slopes. Avoid zones below glide cracks in the surface.

Following a night of clear skies and good longwave outgoing radiation, the snowpack is well consolidated and stable. Generally there is a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads, which softens up during the daytime hours from east-to-south-to-west. On shady slopes at higher altitudes there are unbonded large cup-shaped crystals in the lowermost part of the snowpack. The fresh snow and drifts from last week lie deposited atop this poor fundament.

Dust from the Sahara and high-altitude cloudbanks will generate diffuse and hampered sunshine and limited visibility into the far distance. Temperature at 2000m: 6 degrees; at 3000m: -1 degree. Light-to-moderate easterly to southeasterly winds at high altitudes.

No significant change is anticipated. The persistent weak layer problem on shady high-altitude slopes will persist.