Border Pennine Alps

Slab avalanches and wet avalanches during the day are still possible.

Slab avalanches and wet avalanches during the day are still possible.

The large quantity of fresh snow of the last few days as well as the sometimes large wind slabs to be found above all in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain can be released easily, or, in isolated cases naturally above approximately 2200 m. On very steep slopes the avalanches can be triggered in the various layers of new snow and reach large size. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of dry and moist avalanches being released will increase gradually in particular on rocky southeast and southwest facing slopes below approximately 2800 m. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

30 to 40 cm of snow, but less in some localities, has fallen since Friday above approximately 2000 m. Down to 1200 m snow has fallen over a wide area. Adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls sometimes large wind slabs formed. New snow and wind slabs are lying on the soft surface of an old snowpack. Sunshine and high temperatures gave rise to moistening of the snowpack in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m. As a consequence of highly fluctuating temperatures a crust formed on the surface during the last few days, especially on sunny slopes also at intermediate and high altitudes, as well as on shady slopes below approximately 2200 m. The weather conditions will foster a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.

Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be reduced in some case. The surface of the snowpack will soften earlier than the day before. The danger of moist snow slides and avalanches will already increase in the late morning.