Verwall Mountains West

Fresh snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

Fresh snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations above the treeline can easily be triggered by one single skier. Size and frequency of danger zones tends to increase with ascending altitude. They occur especially in shady steep terrain with expansively metamorphosed snowpack surfaces and on steep slopes whose surface hoar has been covered by fresh snowfall. In addition, avalanches can be triggered in the weak layers of the old snowpack in isolated cases on shady steep slopes where the snow is shallow and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. generally by large additional loading. On steep grass-covered slopes, particularly in sunny aspects, small-sized glide-snow avalanches are possible. Caution urged below glide cracks.

On Thursday night, 20-30 cm of fresh snow is anticipated over widespread areas, maximum 20 cm in the Silvretta. Added to that: strong-velocity W/NE winds which will transport the fresh and loosely-packed snow. The fresh snow and drifts will be deposited atop an unfavorable, expansively metamorphosed snowpack surface particularly on shady slopes, often atop surface hoar. Also inside the snowdrift accumulations there are frequently trigger-sensitive intermediate layers evident. On steep sunny slopes the old snowpack surface has a breakable crust extending up to high altitudes. At high altitudes, near-ground level weak layewrs and faceted intermediate layers can often be triggered.

Early snow showers will gradually slacken off during the course of the day, in the latter part of the day the clouds will disperse. Startlingly cold! At 2000m: -11 degrees. Brisk to strong-velocity W/NW winds at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly