Avalanche forecast

Increasingly frequent wet-snow + glide-snow avalanches at low altitudes due to warmth and rain

Increasingly frequent wet-snow + glide-snow avalanches at low altitudes due to warmth and rain

Particularly in regions where snowfall has been heaviest, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible on steep grass-covered slopes and hillsides which have not yet discharged. Due to warmth and minor rain impact this danger will increase somewhat. Cracks in the snowpack are danger signals. On very steep high-altitude shady slopes and in extremely steep terrain, small-to-medium slab avalanches can trigger by large additional loading in transitions from shallow to deep snow, e.g. at entries into gullies and bowls or in spots where snow is shallow. Particularly in high-altitude ridgeline terrain, caution urged towards fresh, small drifts.

In the northern regions there was a small amount of fresh snow above 1700m and increasing snowdrifts with ascending altitude. On high-altitude very steep shady slopes there are still weak layers at mid-level of the snowpack or snowdrift accumulations which are triggerable. On north-facing slopes and in areas where solar radiation is flag, the uppermost layers are often loose and powdery. There is also surface hoar in many places, or a thin melt-freeze crust. At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack was weakened by the mild temperatures and rain influence.

High, compact clouds will generate diffuse light, impeding most of the sunshine. Towards evening the skies will become gloomy in the northern mountain massifs and snowfall is anticipated above 1700m. Temperature at 2000 m: -1 degree. Moderate to brisk W/SW winds at high altitude.

Avalanche danger is not expected to change significantly. Regionally, minor fresh snow. In zones with rain influence, wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches are possible.