Silvretta West

Beware wet snow/gliding snow

Beware wet snow/gliding snow

Increased loose-snow and wet-snow avalanches possible during the course of the day due to wetness, radiation and warmth. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger at any time of day or night and grow to larger size. Danger zones occur near ridges, behind discontinuities and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, esp. on steep shady slopes the older drifts are often trigger-prone. Small-to-medium slab avalanches and also loose-snow avalanches can be triggered by large additional loading. In high alpine regioins the danger zones are more frequent.

Foehn winds have distributed the snow very irregularly, it is often hardened. Sahara dust has been deposited on the surface, which accelerates the melting process. Fresh and older snowdrift masses often lie deposited atop soft layers, esp. on shady slopes, and are trigger-prone. Below 2000 m the old snowpack is thoroughly moist, wet down to the ground, this reinforces gliding over smooth ground. Very little snow on the ground below 1500 m.

Foehn winds have distributed the snow very irregularly, it is often hardened. Sahara dust has painted the surface, which accelerates the melting process. Fresh and older snowdrift masses often lie deposited atop soft layers, esp. on shady slopes, and are trigger-prone. Below 2000 m the old snowpack is thoroughly moist, wet down to the ground, this reinforces gliding over smooth ground. Very little snow on the ground below 1500 m.

On Tuesday, highly variable and cool weather, brisk winds, tendency towards showers in afternoon. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.