Osterhorn Group,Gamsfeld Group

Glide-snow problem up to summit levels

Glide-snow problem up to summit levels

Glide-snow activity is high, and up to summit altitudes. Avalanches of medium size can release on steep grassy slopes and rocky plates at any time of day. Zones below glide cracks should be avoided. Older snowdrift accumulations can in isolated cases be triggered even by minimum additional loading, avalanche releases are usually small. Danger zones primarily on north-facing slopes at high altitudes, esp. near ridgelines.

The fresh snow from Wednesday has bonded well with the old snowpack. Fresh snowdrift patches at high altitudes are deposited atop soft snow, still prone to triggering in isolated cases. The old snowpack base is largely stable. Below 1000 m the snowpack is superficially moist, it will soften increasingly over the course of the day due to solar radiation. The lowermost part of the snowpack below 2400 m is moist. A wellbonded snowpack can glide over smooth ground in steep terrain.

On Thursday, good visibility above the fog, widespread sunshine. Light snow showers possible in early morning. Residual clouds will soon disperse. Light winds. At 2000 m: -9 degrees, during the daytime -6 degrees, temperatures rising during the nocturnal hours.

The snowdrift problem is diminishing. As temperatures rise, the wet-snow problem will increase.