Pre Alps

Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude.

Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude.

Avalanches of small-to-medium size can easily be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast. Danger zones occur behind sharp drops in the terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. The fresh snow on south-facing slopes covers the ground which previously was bare of snow, which will now begin to glide. As a result of solar radiation, moist slides from the fresh fallen snow can be expected during the afternoon hours.

Since Wednesday, up to 40cm of fresh snow has been registered. The snowfall was accompanied by strong-to-storm strength NW winds, thereby generating often large-sized, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations. In the interim there have also been repeated showers of graupel. Tonight, an additional 10cm of fresh snowfall is anticipated. Fresh snow and drifts lie deposited atop a loosely-packed surface on shady slopes, otherwise mostly on ground which is bare of snow.

Low-lying cloud cover will hamper visibility. Snow showers will taper off during the morning. In afternoon, possible windows of sunshine, particularly in high alpine regions. Temperature at 2000m: -11 degrees; at 3000m: from -16 degrees. Brisk northeasterly winds at high altitudes.

The danger of dry-snow avalanches is diminishing. Due to solar radiation, moist slides can be expected from the fresh fallen snow during the course of the day.