Rätikon West

Caution: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering in places

Caution: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering in places

Due to brisk W/NW winds, snowdrift accumulations were generated esp. in high-altitude ridgeline and pass areas which are prone to triggering (but small). Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude. Older snowdrift accumulations are often still prone to triggering, can be released by one sole skier and reach medium size. Snowdrift accumulations in steep terrain should be evaluated with great caution. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches is still difficult to assess. Caution urged below glide cracks.

Brisk W/NW winds transported the loose snow to ridgeline and pass areas. Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are often prone to triggering. Esp. on N/E facing slopes, the snowdrifts were deposited atop a loosely-packed snowpack surface, they are stabilizing increasingly. On sunny slopes the fresh snow is already bonded and forming a thin crust. On shady steep slopes at high altitudes there are weak layers evident in the lowermost part of the snowpack.

Gray winter skies, initially cloudbanks will disperse, providing room for some sunshine. During the course of the day, high-altitude clouds will move in. At 2000m: -6 to -3 degrees. High altitude moderate westerly winds.

Avalanche danger levels will slowly recede. In high-alpine ridgeline and pass areas, brisk NW winds will generate trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations.