Samnaun Mountains

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. The danger of wet avalanches will increase significantly during the day.

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. The danger of wet avalanches will increase significantly during the day.

Avalanches can in many cases be released in the old snowpack and reach large size. This applies even in case of a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2600 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular in little used terrain, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. In their paths avalanches can entrain the wet snow. This extends the avalanche runout distances. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Wind slabs are in individual cases still prone to triggering on steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet avalanches are to be expected. This applies in particular on very steep sunny slopes, and at the base of rock walls. The runout zones are to be treated with caution.

Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be good over a wide area. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to rapid and thorough wetting of the snowpack. This applies especially on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m.

Steep shady slopes high altitudes and the high Alpine regions: Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution. Steep sunny slopes intermediate and high altitudes: The danger of wet avalanches will increase during the day.