Silvretta West

Caution urged in steep shady terrain seldom skied on

Caution urged in steep shady terrain seldom skied on

Avalanche danger mostly low. Danger zones occur mostly in steep shady terrain above 2200m, in transitions from shallow to deep snow and in areas with shallow snow. Activities in backcountry demand cautious route selection, particularly in shady steep terrain seldom skied on. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering in some places, require attentiveness in steep terrain.The danger of small-to-medium sized glide-snow avalanches continues to be difficult to assess. Caution urged below glide cracks.

Up to 5 cm of snowfall is anticipated, deposited atop a well consolidated old snowpack surface at high altitudes. On shady slopes there are weak layers in the uppermost part of the snow cover or at ground level, these can be triggered in some cases. On wind-protected shady slopes the fresh snow will blanket the powdery layers, often a breakable or non-breakable wind crust and on steep sunny slopes a melt-freeze crust. In ridgeline and pass areas, fresh snowdrifts will be generated over small areas under the impact of intermittently strong-velocity winds. The snowpack is well consolidated up to high altitudes. Particularly on shady slopes there are weak layers evident which can easily be triggered. Snowpack surfaces are often powdery on shady, wind-protected slopes. Elsewhere there are wind crusts and a melt-freeze crust evident. Elsewhere a wind crust is evident which is often capable of bearing loads, on sunny slopes there is a melt-crust. Small snowdrift accumulations are evident. During the course of the day, the superficially encrusted snowpack will moisten/soften on steep sunny slopes. Small-area fresh snowdrifts have been generated.

Nocturnal skies will be cloudy, with light snow showers above 1600m. On Thursday in the northern regions, limited visibility and fog. Further to the south, rain, snowfall and dropping temperatures in the afternoon hours, as winds intensify. The snowfall level will sink from 1400 to below 1000m. At 2000m: -2 degrees during the daytime. Moderate to brisk westerly winds at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger levels to increase somewhat on Friday, due to fresh snowfall and wind