Avalanche forecast

Small fresh and blanketed snowdrifts are main danger - Still glide-snow avalanches

Small fresh and blanketed snowdrifts are main danger - Still glide-snow avalanches

Small fresh and frequently covered snowdrifts are still prone to triggering in places. Avalanche prone locations are found especially in steep ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. They increase with altitude in spread and frequency. Small slabs can be triggered even by the weight of one sole skier. In steep terrain, snowdrift accumulations should be avoided. On steep shady high-alpine slopes, medium-sized avalanches can be triggered in the old snow in isolated cases, particularly in transitions from shallow to deeper snow and where the snow is shallow. At intermediate and low altitudes, glide-snow avalanches are still possible: caution below glide cracks.

Accompanied by brisk E/NE winds, exposed zones can receive small fresh snowdrift accumulations. The most recent round of fresh snow often lies deposited atop loose, soft and also bonded layers where there is no wind impact. Exposed zones are often windblown down to the ground or to a wind-freeze crust, gullies and bowls filled to the brim with drifts. Older drifts often cover older snowdrift accumulations of recent days or soft layers. In some places, graupel and surface hoar have been covered. Bonding to this (as well as in deeper layers) is moderate, but worsens with altitude. The old snowpack is generally well consolidated and stable, but there are faceted crystals at mid-level of the snowpack, triggerable by large additional loading. Steep south-facing slopes have a slight crust.

A high-pressure front: superb mountain weather, brilliant sunshine, good visibility. The milder temperatures will persist, the zero-degree level will gradually climb to 2500 m. In high alpine regions, windy. Temperature at 2000 m: -3 to +3 degrees. Moderate to brisk N/NE winds at high altitudes.

The next few days will be very sunny and increasingly mild. Avalanche danger will continue to decrease.