Avalanche forecast

Snowpack loses firmness, danger rises due to solar radiation, warmth

Snowpack loses firmness, danger rises due to solar radiation, warmth

In early morning low avalanche danger prevails for a short time. Isolated danger zones for dry-snow avalanches occur still in extremely steep, mostly shady terrain in high alpine regions. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow, the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall also require attentiveness. Due to warmth and solar radiation, the danger of wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches rises to moderate as of late morning, particularly on steep sun-drenched slopes where there is no wind impact. Naturally triggered medium, some large-sized wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches are possible during the course of the day, especially on steep sunny slopes below 2600m. Zones below glide cracks in the surface should be avoided. Wet-snow avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size. Backcountry tours should start early, end early.

Following a night of cloudless skies and good outgoing longwave radiation, the snowpack was able to stabilize and form a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads. Below the crust, however, the snowpack is thoroughly wet and even the base is often wet up to high altitudes. On very steep slopes this furthers the gliding movement of the entire snowpack. During the day the snowpack softens with varying rapidity depending on gradient and aspect, further losing firmness.

Cloudless skies all day long. Outstanding visibility. The zero-degree level lies at 2600 m. Temperature at 2000 m: -3 to +3 degrees. Light southerly winds.

On Thursday, favorable conditions will continue, no significant change in the avalanche situation. The danger of wet-snow avalanches will increase during the daytime, due to higher temperatures and solar radiation.