Samnaun Mountains

The conditions are mostly favourable. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack.

The conditions are mostly favourable. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in very isolated cases in little used terrain. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on extremely steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Avalanches can reach medium size in isolated cases. The somewhat older wind slabs are only small and unlikely to be released now. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on extremely steep shady slopes, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas at elevated altitudes. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls. On extremely steep sunny slopes individual mostly small wet loose snow slides are possible as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes. The mostly shallow wind slabs of the last few days have bonded quite well with the old snowpack. They are unlikely to be released now. Steep sunny slopes: The snowpack is well consolidated and its surface has a crust that is barely capable of bearing a load. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to gradual softening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes. This also applies at low and intermediate altitudes in all aspects. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of wet and gliding avalanches being released will increase a little.