Pre Alps

Fresh snow and snowdrifts are prone to triggering

Fresh snow and snowdrifts are prone to triggering

Fresh snow and fresh snowdrift accumulations are often triggerable above the treeline on shady slopes by one sole skier and then possibly growing to medium size. Danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude, particularly on steep shady slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Also naturally triggered avalanches reaching medium size are possible. In isolated cases, small slab avalanches can be triggered on high-altitude extremely steep shady slopes also in the old snow, usually by large additional loading and where the snow is shallow.

By Tuesday evening, 15-25 cm of fresh snow is expected widespread. Amid intermittently strong westerly winds, the snow will be transported and fresh snowdrifts will accumulate. Fresh snow and drifts will bond poorly-to-moderately on steep shady slopes, atop a soft old snowpack. Snowdrifts from previous days will often be blanketed. The snowpack beneath them is generally well consolidated. At lower altitudes the fresh snowfall often lies deposited on bare ground.

A cold front will bring precipitation during the nocturnal hours. By early morning the snowfall level will drop to 700-1000m. On Tuesday, weather will be unstable, initially with heavy snowfall, later on slackening off. At 2000m: -4 degrees. Brisk westerly winds, strong in high alpine regions.

Fresh snow and drifts remain prone to triggering