2021-12-17T17:00:00+00:00 avalanche-warnings.eu 2021-12-17T23:00:00+00:00 2021-12-18T23:00:00+00:00 2 1 drifting snow thin, small snowdrifts Moderate avalanche danger due to shallow snowdrifts at high altitude The main avalanche danger currently stems from small, fresh, cavity-filled snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes. On shady slopes and at entries to extremely steep gullies and bowls, large additional loading can trigger slab avalanches, in isolated cases (and small slabs) by minimum additional loading. Caution is also required to the perils of being forced to take a fall on the icy surfaces. At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet and, depending on altitude, covered with a melt-freeze crust. At high altitudes the surface is ice-encrusted, and there are shallow, cavity-filled drifts on top of it. The fundament is compact and evidences no weak layers. Saturday will be sunny and dry, by and large. In the northern barrier cloud regions, heavy residual cloud will persist in the morning, later on all the summits should be free with good visibility. Winds will slacken off somewhat, but still be brisk from north to northeast. At 2000 m: -2 degrees at midday. Sunday will also be sunny for the most part. But winds will again become stormy, then shift to northwesterly. No significant change in avalanche danger is expected. 2021-12-17T17:00:00+00:00 avalanche-warnings.eu 2021-12-17T23:00:00+00:00 2021-12-18T23:00:00+00:00 1 drifting snow thin, small snowdrifts Generally low avalanche danger, but peril of falling on icy surfaces At high altitudes the snowpack fundament is stable, the surface is blanketed by a thick melt-freeze crust. From place to place the storm-strength northerly winds can generate fresh snowdrift accumulations. Isolated avalanache prone locations are found in southern aspects at entries to extremely steep gullies and bowls where inisolated cases small slab avalanches can be triggered. Caution urged towards the peril of being forced to take a fall on the icy surfaces. At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet and, depending on altitude, covered with a melt-freeze crust. At high altitudes the surface is ice-encrusted, beneath that the snowpack is compact and evidences no weak layers. On the surface are often shallow, cavity-filled snowdrift patches which are relatively well bonded with the snow base. Saturday will be sunny and dry, by and large. In the northern barrier cloud regions, heavy residual cloud will persist in the morning, later on all the summits should be free with good visibility. Winds will slacken off somewhat, but still be brisk from north to northeast. At 2000 m: -2 degrees at midday. Sunday will also be sunny for the most part. But winds will again become stormy, then shift to northwesterly. Avalanche danger is expected to remain low over the next few days.