Avalanche forecast for Friday 17 April 2026.

Weakly bonded old snow and wet snow represent the main danger.

all day it applies moderate avalanche danger, so danger level two.

all day, below 2800 meter, we have a wet snow problem. This in all aspects. Furthermore, all day, above 2400 meter, we have a persistent weak layer problem. Especially in the aspects West to North to East.

As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation there will be an increase in the danger of wet avalanches. From origins in starting zones where no previous releases have taken place natural avalanches are possible, in particular medium-sized ones. This applies on shady slopes below approximately 2800 m, as well as on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. On steep shady slopes avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow and reach large size in isolated cases. Individual avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Such avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Especially transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are unfavourable. In addition the fresh wind slabs in high Alpine regions are capable of being triggered in isolated cases. Wind slabs are mostly small. Backcountry tours and off-piste skiing should be started and concluded early.

And now the snowpack:

The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust only at high altitudes and will already soften in the late morning. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise to increasing and thorough wetting of the snowpack below approximately 2800 m. The high humditiy will give rise in the afternoon to a loss of strength within the snowpack also on steep shady slopes. Steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m: Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack at elevated altitudes. Below approximately 1800 m from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.

The tendency for Saturday 18 April 2026 indicates a decreasing avalanche danger.

Have a nice day and don't forget to be careful!