Avalanche.report Friday 26 04 2019

Regions
AT-07-10, AT-07-11, AT-07-01, AT-07-12, AT-07-13, AT-07-02, AT-07-14, AT-07-03, AT-07-15, AT-07-04, AT-07-16, AT-07-05, AT-07-17, AT-07-06, AT-07-18, AT-07-07, AT-07-08, AT-07-09

AM
Danger level
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2600m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2400m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Gliding snow above 2400m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

PM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2600m
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2600m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Gliding snow above 2600m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

Increase in danger of wet and gliding avalanches as a consequence of the rain.

A clear night will be followed in the early morning by generally favourable avalanche conditions at elevated altitudes. Below approximately 2400 m the danger of gliding and wet avalanches is moderate (level 2). As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of wet and gliding avalanches being released will increase below approximately 2600 m. In the west danger level 3 (considerable) will be reached in the late morning. In the east danger level 3 (considerable) will be reached in the afternoon. More frequent wet loose snow avalanches are to be expected. Wet avalanches can in some places be released in deeper layers also. This applies in particular on steep shady slopes in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Avalanches can release the moist old snow as well and reach large size in isolated cases. As the temperature drops the natural avalanche activity will gradually decrease.

In addition small wind slabs will form at elevated altitudes. They are prone to triggering on very steep shady slopes in high Alpine regions.

Snowpack

dp 3: rain
dp 2: gliding snow

Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be quite good. The weather will be very mild in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind. The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust only at high altitudes. Over a wide area 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall from late morning. Up to 2600 m rain will fall. The old snowpack will be wet all the way through at intermediate and high altitudes. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. At low altitude hardly any snow is lying.

Tendency

Slight decrease in danger of wet and gliding avalanches as the temperature drops. Fresh wind slabs in the high Alpine regions.

Regions
IT-32-BZ-07, IT-32-BZ-11, IT-32-BZ-14, IT-32-BZ-03, IT-32-BZ-04, IT-32-BZ-15, IT-32-BZ-05

Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2200m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2200m, N-NE-E-W-NW
Wet snow above 2500m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

Fresh snow and wind slabs in the high Alpine regions.

As the day progresses the previously small wind slabs will increase in size once again. As a consequence of a strong southwesterly wind, easily released wind slabs will form in particular in places that are protected from the wind. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west to north to east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Backcountry touring calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent and are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. In particular below approximately 2400 m there will be an additional increase in the danger of wet and gliding avalanches.

Snowpack

The strong wind will transport the fresh snow. The wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep shady slopes. Large-grained weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack especially on steep shady slopes. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be severely restricted over a wide area. As the day progresses as a consequence of the rain there will be an additional increase in the danger of wet and gliding avalanches. This applies in particular in case of releases originating from starting zones below approximately 2400 m that have retained the snow thus far.

Tendency

A dangerous avalanche situation will persist in some regions.

Regions
IT-32-TN-13, IT-32-TN-01, IT-32-TN-04, IT-32-TN-05, IT-32-TN-16, IT-32-TN-19

Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2400m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2400m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
New snow above 2400m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

In the regions where more snow falls the avalanche danger is greater.

The fresh snow must be evaluated with care and prudence above approximately 2400 m. Dry avalanches can be released, even by small loads in isolated cases and reach medium size. In some places they can release the moist old snow as well and reach large size in some cases. As a consequence of warming during the day, the likelihood of moist and wet avalanches being released will increase in particular below approximately 2400 m. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

Snowpack

Fresh snow to above 2300 m. The old snowpack remains moist below approximately 2400 m. At low altitude no snow is lying. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack on shady slopes, especially between approximately 1900 and 2400 m.

Tendency

Regions
AT-07-19, AT-07-20, AT-07-21, AT-07-22, AT-07-23, AT-07-24

Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2600m
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2600m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Gliding snow above 2600m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

Wet and gliding avalanches are to be expected below approximately 2600 m.

As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of wet and gliding avalanches being released will increase further below approximately 2600 m. More frequent wet loose snow avalanches are to be expected. Wet avalanches can in some places be released in deeper layers also. This applies in particular on steep shady slopes in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Avalanches can release the moist old snow as well and reach large size in isolated cases. As the temperature drops the natural avalanche activity will gradually decrease.

In addition mostly small wind slabs formed at elevated altitudes. They are prone to triggering on very steep shady slopes in high Alpine regions. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility.

Snowpack

dp 3: rain
dp 2: gliding snow

Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be barely evident. 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. Up to 2600 m rain will fall. The old snowpack will be wet all the way through at intermediate and high altitudes. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. At low altitude hardly any snow is lying.

Tendency

Slight decrease in danger of wet and gliding avalanches as the temperature drops. Fresh wind slabs at high altitude.

Regions
AT-07-26, AT-07-27, AT-07-28, AT-07-29, AT-07-25

Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2600m
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2600m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

Wet avalanches are to be expected below approximately 2600 m.

As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of wet avalanches being released will increase further below approximately 2600 m. More frequent wet loose snow avalanches are to be expected. Wet avalanches can in some places be released in deeper layers also. This applies in particular on steep shady slopes in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Avalanches can release the moist old snow as well and reach large size in isolated cases. As the temperature drops the natural avalanche activity will gradually decrease. In addition mostly small wind slabs will form at elevated altitudes. They are prone to triggering on very steep shady slopes in high Alpine regions.

Snowpack

dp 3: rain
dp 1: deep persistent weak layer

Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be barely evident. Over a wide area 5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. Up to 2600 m rain will fall. The old snowpack will be wet all the way through at intermediate and high altitudes. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack on steep shady slopes. At low altitude hardly any snow is lying.

Tendency

Slight decrease in danger of wet avalanches as the temperature drops. Fresh wind slabs in the high Alpine regions.

Regions
IT-32-TN-12, IT-32-TN-15, IT-32-TN-03, IT-32-TN-14, IT-32-TN-17, IT-32-TN-06, IT-32-TN-18, IT-32-TN-11, IT-32-TN-10

Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above the treeline
Danger Level 1 - Low above the treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of wet loose snow avalanches being released will increase.

As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of wet small and medium sized avalanches being released will increase in particular on north and northwest facing slopes at elevated altitudes.

Snowpack

The old snowpack will be wet all the way through at intermediate and high altitudes. In the Etschtal no snow is lying on south facing slopes.

Tendency

The backcountry touring conditions remain spring-like.

Regions
IT-32-TN-02, IT-32-TN-08, IT-32-TN-07, IT-32-TN-09, IT-32-TN-20, IT-32-TN-21

Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2400m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
New snow above 2400m, N-NE-E-W-NW

Moist and wet avalanches are still possible.

The fresh snow must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on northeast to north to northwest facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. Dry avalanches can in isolated cases be released, in particular by large loads and reach medium size. In some places they can release the moist old snow as well and reach large size in some cases. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of moist and wet avalanches being released will increase in particular below approximately 2400 m. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. In particular in regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater.

Snowpack

Tendency

Regions
IT-32-BZ-18, IT-32-BZ-19, IT-32-BZ-08, IT-32-BZ-09, IT-32-BZ-20, IT-32-BZ-10, IT-32-BZ-12, IT-32-BZ-01, IT-32-BZ-13, IT-32-BZ-02, IT-32-BZ-17, IT-32-BZ-06

Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 3000m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Wind-drifted snow above 2600m, N-NE-E-W-NW

As the day progresses, a few wet avalanches are possible. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Below approximately 3000 m small and medium-sized moist and wet avalanches are possible. These can in isolated cases penetrate down to the ground and reach quite a large size. As a consequence of fresh snow and a strong southwesterly wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west to north to east facing wind-loaded slopes above approximately 2200 m. In particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase. They are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility.

Snowpack

dp 10: springtime scenario
dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind

In some regions up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 2200 m. As a consequence of a sometimes strong southwesterly wind, wind slabs formed adjacent to ridgelines as well as at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The surface of the snowpack cooled hardly at all during the overcast night and will already be soft in the early morning. This applies in particular on steep north facing slopes below approximately 2600 m, and elsewhere below approximately 3000 m.

Tendency

In some regions increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the precipitation. In many cases fresh snow and wind slabs are lying on a moist old snowpack. The fresh snow and wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. In addition moist and wet avalanches are possible. In the regions exposed to rain caution is to be exercised in particular.

Regions
IT-32-BZ-16

Danger level
Danger Level 1 - Low
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2600m, N-NE-E-W-NW

Wet small and medium sized avalanches.

As a consequence of warming during the day, the likelihood of wet small and medium sized avalanches being released will increase in particular on very steep shady slopes at intermediate and high altitudes. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

Snowpack

dp 10: springtime scenario

The old snowpack will be wet all the way through at intermediate and high altitudes. Only a little snow is lying on south facing slopes.

Tendency

The backcountry touring conditions remain spring-like.