Boletín de aludes

Caution: daytime cycle of wet-snow avalanches, glide-snow avalanches from grassy steep slopes not yet discharged, snowdrifts above 2000m

Caution: daytime cycle of wet-snow avalanches, glide-snow avalanches from grassy steep slopes not yet discharged, snowdrifts above 2000m

On sunny slopes below 2400 m (and shady slopes below 2000 m on steep grassy slopes, in forest clearances and on hillsides which have not yet discharged, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can be expected. In regions where snowfall was heaviest they can grow to large size in isolated cases. Cracks in the snowpack are red flags of approaching danger. On sunny slopes, in addition, superficial wet loose-snow and slab avalanches can trigger naturally during the course of the day. Fresh and older drifts become more prone to triggering with ascending altitude and can be triggered, particularly by large additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found especially above 2200 m, in steep ridgeline terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. At very high altitude and in high alpine regions the situation is more treacherous. In addition, on high-altitude shady slopes, ground-level weak layers can be triggered particularly by large additional loading in transition zones from deep to shallow snow. If avalanches fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack they can easily grow to large size.

The snowpack has settled and consolidated well over the last few days. Through nocturnal coolness and outgoing radiation the moistened snowpack has regained firmness and at intermediate altitudes formed a thin melt-freeze crust on the surface. This softens during the daytime and the snowpack again forfeits its firmness. Below 1800 m the snowpack is settled but moist, which furthers gliding movement over smooth ground. Due to persistently higher temperatures and solar radiation, there is still heightened danger of glide-snow avalanches. Fresh and older snowdrifts become more prone to triggering with ascending altitude. The snowdrifts generated in the last few days are consolidating, due to warmer temperatures. At mid-level in the snowpack, particularly on high altitude shady slopes, there are weak layers of faceted crystals.

Sunshine and cloudless skies in the mountains from morning till night. Fog persists in the valleys (upper level at 1000 m). Tonight, clear skies. Temperature at 2000 m: -1 to +3 degrees. Brisk NE winds at high altitude.

Avalanche danger is not expected to change significantly. Danger of dry-snow avalanches will continue to diminish, danger of wet-snow avalanches will increase during the course of each day. Glide-snow avalanches continue to be expected.