Avalanche forecast

Older drifts often still trigger-sensitive, slight daytime cycle of wet-snow avalanche activity

Older drifts often still trigger-sensitive, slight daytime cycle of wet-snow avalanche activity

Older snowdrift accumulations become more prone to triggering with ascending altitude and can be triggered particularly by large additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found particulraly above about 2000 m, in steep ridgeline terrain, wind-loaded gullies and bowls. At very high locations and in high alpine regions the situation is still more treacherous. In addition, on high-altitude shady steep slopes, ground-level weak layers can be triggered, especially by large additional loading in transition zones from deep to shallow snow. If avalanches fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack they can easily grow to large size. Cautious route selection is recommended. Very steep slopes should be descended singly. At low and intermediate altitudes on steep grass-covered slopes, in forest clearances and on hillsides, increasingly frequent glide-snow avalanches are possible. These can be of large size in isolated cases in those regions where snowfall has been heaviest. Cracks in the snowpack are danger signals. On sunny slopes, furthermore, superficial wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.

Due to higher temperatures and rainfall, the moist snowpack has regained some firmness during the nights when it cools down, is now melt-freeze encrusted on the surface. This crust softens during the daytime, the snowpack again forfeits its firmness. Below about 1800 m the old snowpack has settled well but is moist, which furthers the gliding movement of the snow cover over smooth ground. The activity of glide-snow avalanches has increased through the recent warming. Older snowdrift accumulations frequently become more prone to triggering with ascending altitude. Due to significantly higher temperatures the snowdrifts generated last week are settling and consolidating to an increasing degree. At mid-level inside the snowpack on high-altitude shady slopes, faceted-crystal weak layers are evident. There is currently only little information to the Avalanche Warning Service from high altitude regions.

Above the high fog (as of about 700m) it will initially be sunny. During the daytime, high-altitude cloud cover will move in, impede the sun noticeably, create diffuse light conditions. Nonetheless it remains mild for this juncture of the season, the zero-degree level lies at 2300 m. Temperature at 0 to +4 degrees. Light to moderate NW winds at high altitude.

The danger of dry-snow avalanches continues to gradually diminish. The danger of moist-snow avalanches will increase during the course of each day. In addition, glide-snow avalanches continue to be anticipated.