Pre Alps

Overall little snow on the ground, low avalanche danger

Overall little snow on the ground, low avalanche danger

Avalanche danger is generally low. Main problem: superficial layers in wind-impacted steep terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain are often still prone to triggering. On shady slopes the snow is still powdery, there is surface hoar mostly at low and intermediate altitudes. On sunny slopes there are melt-freeze encrusted surfaces. Only on higher altitude steep ridgeline slopes are there small, often trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations which have persisted.

In exposed pass and ridgeline areas, small snowdrift accumulations have been generated afresh due to moderate-strength NE winds. The new snowdrift masses were often deposited atop surface hoar, particularly at intermediate altitudes. In ridgeline and pass areas, behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain and in wind-exposed terrain, older snowdrift accumulations occur and are often poorly bonded with the snowpack surface or other intermediate layers. On shady leeward slopes and at low altitudes the fresh snow is often loose. At high altitudes on shady slopes in particular, there are still weak layers inside the snowpack which are not visible to the naked eye. At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is generally well consolidated. There is often surface hoar evident, esp. at low and intermediate altitudes.

Nocturnal hours: Fog will extend up to 1700-200m, above that the skies are clear. Minimum snowfall is possible. Saturday: no significant change in weather conditions, far-reaching fogbanks including summits of 2000 m, above which the skies will be variably cloudy with some sunshine. Bright intervals possible in Rätikon and Silvretta. At 2000 m: -10 degrees; moderate E/NE winds.

On Sunday, high-pressure front conditions will bring quite sunny weather and little wind. High altitude cloud will hamper the sun occasionally. Temperatures will rise slightly. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.