Rätikon West

Considerable danger, increasing during daytime hours

Considerable danger, increasing during daytime hours

Main danger: weak layers in the old snowpack. Danger zones occur behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, they tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude. Glide-cracks and whumpf noises are indicatorsr of imminent danger. Activities in backcountry require experience in assessing avalanche danger and the terrain on-site. Due to solar radiation and warmth, moist slides and small loose-snow avalanches are possible on very steep sunny slopes. Glide snow avalanches possible on steep smooth grassy slopes.

With increasing altitude the bonding deteriorates and is prone to triggering. ON high shady slopes there are unfavourable layers inside. With warmth and solar radiation the snowpack loses its firmness - also natural triggerings are then possible. Even one sole skier can trigger avalanches, particularly on steep W/N/E facing slopes. Severeal medium-to-large avalanches were reported on Thursday in the Silvretta and Verwall. Not much snow at low altitudes.

Nocturnal hours: variably cloudy skies, increasing foehn impact, dry, above zero: -1 to +4 degrees. Saturday: serene weather conditions, dry, very warm, noticeable southerly winds. At 2000 m 6-9 degrees. Light westerly winds at high altitudes, in the lanes: brisk southerly winds.

Little change on Saturday, sunshine will dominate. Danger of dry-snow avalanches will gradually recede. Danger of wet-snow avalanches will again increase.