Avalanche forecast

Moderate danger above treeline, low danger below it

Moderate danger above treeline, low danger below it

Freshly generated snowdrifts can be triggered by one sole skier in some places. Avalanche prone locations are found particularly on wind-loaded steep ridgeline slopes, behind protruberances and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are easy to recognize and should be circumvented in steep terrain whenever possible. Older drifts are often still prone to triggering, but are now covered and difficult to recognize, particularly on shady and east-facing slopes at high altitudes. Danger zones increase in frequency and size with ascending altitude. Naturally triggered avalanches (mostly small loose-snow avalanches) are possible in steep terrain, particularly on sunny slopes. Weak layers in the old snow can be triggered particularly in Rätikon, Silvretta and Verwall on NW/N/NE facing slopes, and then grow to large size. Activities in backcountry demand experience in assessing avalanche risks on-site and careful route selection. At intermediate altitudes, small to medium-sized glide-snow avalanches are possible on smooth, very steep sunny slopes.

Strong easterly winds transported Saturday’s snow during the night, generated fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations in exposed ridgeline and pass areas. Older drifted layers of often still prone to triggering, but are now blanketed, making them difficult to recognize. Particularly on shady east-facing high altitude slopes they are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. The snowpack shows huge effects of wind: exposed zones are hardened, windblown, leeward slopes, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim with drifts. At lower altitudes, wind-protected zones are powdery and soft. In Rätikon, Verwall and Silvretta the snowpack has deeply embedded weak layers. Avalanches which trigger can fracture down to those layers, especially in seldom-frequented terrain, and in isolated cases grow to large size. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is moist, which reinforces gliding snowpack movement over very steep grass-covered slopes.

Brilliant sunshine from morning til night. Cold...and it feels even colder due to wind. Temperature at 2000m: -6 to -2 degrees. Moderate E/NE winds, brisker in high alpine regions.

On Monday and Tuesday, radiant sunny weather will dominate, cloudless skies, and gradually milder temperatures. The northerly winds will still be moderate to strong on Monday. Danger of dry-snow avalanches will incrementally recede.