Avalanche forecast

Caution urged towards weak layers in old snow

Caution urged towards weak layers in old snow

Avalanches can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier. Such danger zones lie on N/W/E facing very steep shady slopes and in transitions into gullies and bowls above 2200m. Very isolated danger zones also occur on very steep sunny slopes above 2600m. Whumpf noises are indicators of imminent danger. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. Small snowdrifts can trigger on very steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high-alpine terrain. Danger zones occur seldom. Due to daytime warmth and solar radiation, moist loose-snow avalanches are possible but mostly small-sized, esp. triggerable on extremely steep sunny slopes.

Clear skies widespread. Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, near-surface crusts form above 2000m. In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. above 2000m. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are being deposited atop soft layers . On sunny slopes, the snowpack softens during the day on extremely steep slopes.

On Friday, outstanding mountain weather, sunshine from early until late, cloudless skies but for a few thin clouds above summit level in the western massifs. Light (moderate in exposed terrain) SW winds, 40 km/hr. At 2000m: 3 degrees. Source: GeoSphere

Caution urged towards weak layers in the old snow