Rätikon West

Rising avalanche danger due to heavy winds and fresh-generating snowdrifts

Rising avalanche danger due to heavy winds and fresh-generating snowdrifts

Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are often triggerable on shady slopes by one sole skier and then possibly growing to medium size. Danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude, particularly on W/N/E facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Activities in backcountry demand experience in avalanche danger assessment. 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.

The fresh snow from Sunday is being transported far-reachingly at high altitudes, fresh snowdrift accumulations are being generated. Fresh snow and drifts are prone to triggering particularly on steep shady slopes where they lie deposited atop soft layers. On encrusted and moistened sunny slopes the fresh snow is better consolidated. All in all, the old snowpack is well consolidated. At lower altitudes the fresh snowfall often lies deposited on bare ground.

On Monday, stormy-strength foehn wind will arise temporarily, extend down to some valley floors. Summits of the Rätikon and Silvretta will often be shrouded in fog, light snowfall is possible. In the other massifs, high-altitude clouds will generate diffuse light conditions. At 2000m: +5 degrees at midday. Storm-strength S/SW winds at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger can increase further on Tuesday due to fresh snow and wind impact