Avalanche forecast

Solar radiation and high temperatures lead to swift loss of firmness and increased wet-snow avalanches

Solar radiation and high temperatures lead to swift loss of firmness and increased wet-snow avalanches

Danger is frequently low, at high altitudes and as the day progresses moderate. Weak layers in the old snow can often be triggered at high altitudes, small-to-medium avalanches can be released even by one sole skier. Danger zones occur especially on very steep shady slopes. Naturally or minimum-artificially triggered moist slides and wet avalanches can be expected with solar radiation and daytime warming particularly on E/S/W facing slopes up to high altitudes and on shady slopes below about 2200m. In regions where snowfall has been heavy on very steep grassy slopes, glide-snow avalanches continue to be possible. Backcountry tour should be launched early, brought to an end early.

Bonding of recent snowdrift accumulations to the old snowpack is generally good, deteriorates particularly on steep shady slopes with ascending altitude. Small to medium slab avalanches can trigger in the uppermost layers of the snowpack or near the layer of dust from the Sahara. During the mild, partially clear night, a crust formed which sometimes can, sometimes cannot, bear loads. It softens rapidly due to solar radiation and rising daytime temperatures, thereby losing its firmness. The snowpack is disappearing at low and intermediate altitudes.

The air is becoming instable, morning sunshine, only few clouds high above the summits. In the afternoon, convective cloud build-up, some showers are possible. Still warm: the zero-degree level is 3200m. At 2000: 4-9 degrees. Light to moderate SW winds.

Thursday night skies will be overcast, the outgoing longwave radiation reduced. The snowpack has next to no reserves of cold left. Moderate danger of wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches right from the start of the day on Friday.