Avalanche forecast

Persistent rainfall, gradually ascending snowfall level to far above 2000 m: weak snowpack

Persistent rainfall, gradually ascending snowfall level to far above 2000 m: weak snowpack

Due to mild temperatures and intensive rainfall the danger of glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches has increased significantly below 2200m in all aspects, numerous naturally triggered large-sized wet-snow avalanches can be expected. As rain slackens off this afternoon, the danger of wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches will incrementally recede.

Yesterday afternoon, heavy rainfall set in and continued into the night. It was extraordinarily mild, the snowfall level ascended step by step to far above 2000 m. The snowpack thus became thoroughly wet up to high altitudes, and was weakened. The apogee of naturally triggered wet-snow avalanche activity was probably reached during the night. In the last 24 hours there has been 25-30 cm of fresh snow registered above 2200m, up to 35 cm in the Silvretta. As a result of storm-strength NW winds the new snow was intensively transported at high altitudes. Also on Thursday, snowdrift accumulations will be generated far distant from ridgelines by stormy NW winds. The new snow and snowdrifts are then deposited on wind-crusts or melt-freeze crusts atop snowdrifted layers from the last two days, on high-altitude shady slopes atop loose, powdery layers in some places, and are prone to triggering. On south-facing slopes, bonding to the old snowpack is better. In addition, on very steep high-altitude shady slopes there are weak layers at mid-level inside the snowpack in some places: they are prone to triggering.

A striking warm front is creating practically subterranean conditions. Visibility is very poor all morning long, rainfall continues over widespread areas up to nearly 2500 m. The rain will ease this afternoon. New snow will fall only in high alpine regions. During the course of the afternoon, clouds will begin to disperse. Temperature at 2000m: +4 degrees. Initially stormy NW winds at high altitude, this afternoon blowing at strong velocity.

Springtime conditions prevail, including a daytime increase in avalanche danger.