Pollein and Saint-Marcel

Backcountry touring and snowshoe hiking call for meticulous route selection.

Backcountry touring and snowshoe hiking call for meticulous route selection.

The northwesterly wind will transport the snow. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly, in particular on very steep northeast, east and southeast facing slopes, and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above approximately 2200 m. Small and medium-sized avalanches are still even now not ruled out. Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow, even by a single winter sport participant. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm sign. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Maintaining distances between individuals and one-at-a-time descents are recommended.

As a consequence of rising temperatures and partly cloudy skies a crust formed on the surface, especially on steep sunny slopes between approximately 1900 and 3000 m, as well as on shady slopes below approximately 2200 m. Weak layers exist in the snowpack especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes. Reports filed by observers and stability tests confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. When freeriding, bear in mind that many off-piste routes have barely been used at all this winter to date. Since Saturday above approximately 2400 m several small and medium-sized avalanches were released. The amount of snow is subject to significant local variations above approximately 2000 m.

The danger will already be elevated in the early morning. Rain at high altitude: Up to 50 cm of snow, but less in some localities, will fall on Friday above approximately 2800 m. The wind will be strong to storm force over a wide area. As the day progresses, a few, then as the precipitation becomes heavier numerous, and in some cases even large, dry and wet avalanches are possible.