Verwall Mountains West

Naturally triggered avalanches can be expected

Due to fresh snow and wind, marked rise in avalanche danger

As a result of large amounts of fresh snow and drifts, naturally triggered slab avalanches can be expected. They will mostly be medium-sized. Outside of that, avalanches can easily be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast, even in flattish parts of slopes. Danger zones occur over far-reaching areas, and increase during the course of the forecast period as precipitation increases. For activities outside the secured slopes in ski areas, experience in assessing the terrain and avalanche risks are imperative. A defensive route selection is recommended.

Widespread snowfall of 30-50cm is expected. Brisk winds with strong-velocity gusts will transport the new fallen snow far-reachingly. Fresh snow and drifts lie deposited on shady slopes atop a loosely-packed surface, on sunny slopes atop a melt-freeze crust. Beneath a further melt-freeze crust in the uppermost third of the snowpack there are often faceted crystals. The mid-section of the snowpack consists widespread of well consolidated, compact layers which on shady high altitude slopes blanket a poorly-structured old snowpack fundament.

The marked cold front from Wednesday will turn into a barrier cloud situation with ice-cold temperatures. Visibility is poor, snowfall persists, intensively during the morning hours in some places, huge amounts of fresh fallen snow are expected. In the afternoon, precipitation will taper off but the skies will remain gray. Temperature at 2000m: -10 degrees; at 3000m: from -17 degrees. Initially strong-velocity and gusty westerly winds, then brisk north-to-northwesterly winds at high altitudes.

As the precipitation tapers off, naturally triggered avalanche activity will diminish on Friday. Avalanches can still be triggered easily.