Pre Alps

Caution: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations

Caution: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger above 1400m is moderate. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations above the treeline can easily be triggered by one single skier. Fracture depth of the releases is generally small. 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. On steep grass-covered slopes, particularly in sunny aspects, small-sized glide-snow avalanches are possible. Caution urged below glide cracks.

On Thursday night, 10-20 cm of fresh snow is anticipated over widespread areas. 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.

Clouds will accumulate. During the morning hours, the lower border of the cloudbanks will still be above summit level, in the afternoon the peaks will become shrouded in fog. Towards evening, snowfall will set in. During the nocturnal hours the snowfall will temporarily be heavy. At 2000m: dropping from 0 to -4 degrees. Strong-to-storm strength W/SW winds at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly