Avalanche.report Wednesday 01 05 2019

Regions
IT-32-TN-02, IT-32-TN-13, IT-32-TN-01, IT-32-TN-04, IT-32-TN-05, IT-32-TN-16, IT-32-TN-19, IT-32-TN-08, IT-32-TN-07

AM
Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2200m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2400m, N-NE-E-SE-W-NW

PM
Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2200m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2400m, N-NE-E-SE-W-NW
Wet snow above 2600m, E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

The backcountry touring conditions remain wintry at high altitude.

As a consequence of fresh snow and wind, extensive wind slabs formed in the last few days. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west to north to southeast facing wind-loaded slopes above approximately 2000 m. Also slopes adjacent to ridgelines are especially precarious. Single skiers can release avalanches in some places, including large ones. On wind-loaded slopes and from starting zones at higher altitudes individual natural avalanches are possible, in particular medium-sized ones. In the afternoon as a consequence of warming during the day there will be a gradual increase in the danger of moist and wet avalanches. Backcountry touring calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

Snowpack

The surface of the snowpack will freeze, but a strong crust will not form and will soften during the day. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from southerly directions, deep wind slabs formed in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep shady slopes. They are mostly easy to recognise but can be released easily especially at their margins. In some cases fresh snow and wind slabs are lying on an old snowpack that is wet all the way through. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 3000 m and on shady slopes in particular below approximately 2400 m. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack especially in shady places that are protected from the wind.

Tendency

Temporary increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming during the day.

Regions
IT-32-BZ-18, IT-32-BZ-19, AT-07-29, IT-32-BZ-20, IT-32-BZ-14

AM
Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2200m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2600m, N-NE-NW

PM
Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2200m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2800m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Wind-drifted snow above 2600m, N-NE-NW

Moist loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches are the main danger. Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of moist loose snow avalanches being released will increase appreciably in all aspects. These can penetrate even deep layers and reach large size in isolated cases.
In addition the fresh wind slabs in particular adjacent to ridgelines and at high altitudes are capable of being triggered even now, especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. As a consequence of solar radiation individual natural avalanches are possible, in particular medium-sized ones, especially on very steep sunny slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.
A certain danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2600 m in all aspects.

Snowpack

dp 2: gliding snow
dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind

Over a wide area 40 to 80 cm of snow. has fallen in the last few days above approximately 1000 m. The wind was moderate to strong over a wide area. In some places fresh snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers, in particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions on very steep shady slopes. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be quite good. The old snowpack will be wet all the way through at intermediate and high altitudes.

Tendency

The backcountry touring conditions in the morning, after a clear night, are quite favourable.

Regions
IT-32-BZ-08, IT-32-BZ-09, IT-32-BZ-10, IT-32-BZ-15, IT-32-BZ-17

AM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2600m, N-NE-NW

PM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2800m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Wind-drifted snow above 2600m, N-NE-NW

A clear night will be followed in the early morning by quite favourable avalanche conditions mostly, but the avalanche danger will increase later. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west to north to east facing wind-loaded slopes above approximately 2600 m. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches in some places, including medium-sized ones. At high altitudes and in high Alpine regions avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is slightly greater. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large moist loose snow avalanches are possible. This applies in particular on steep slopes below approximately 2800 m in all aspects.

Snowpack

As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last few days adjacent to ridgelines. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be good. The surface of the snowpack is frozen, but not to a significant depth and will already soften in the late morning.

Tendency

The backcountry touring conditions in the morning, after a clear night, are quite favourable. Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Regions
IT-32-BZ-11, AT-07-20, IT-32-BZ-01, IT-32-BZ-12, AT-07-21, IT-32-BZ-02, IT-32-BZ-13, AT-07-22, IT-32-BZ-03, AT-07-23, IT-32-BZ-04, AT-07-24, IT-32-BZ-05, AT-07-14, AT-07-25, IT-32-BZ-06, AT-07-15, AT-07-04, AT-07-26, IT-32-BZ-07, AT-07-27, AT-07-16, AT-07-28, AT-07-19

AM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2600m, N-NE-NW

PM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2800m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Wind-drifted snow above 2600m, N-NE-NW

Loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches are the main danger.

The backcountry touring conditions in the morning are quite favourable.
As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of loose snow avalanches being released will increase appreciably in all aspects. These can penetrate deep layers and reach large size in isolated cases. In the event of solar radiation caution is to be exercised in particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation.
In addition the fresh wind slabs in particular adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects are capable of being triggered in some locations, especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. As a consequence of solar radiation individual natural avalanches are possible. This applies on very steep sunny slopes in high Alpine regions adjacent to ridgelines.
A latent danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2300 m in all aspects, also on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen in the last few days above approximately 1000 m. The fresh wind slabs have bonded quite well with the old snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. In some cases wind slabs are lying on soft layers. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be quite good. The old snowpack will be wet all the way through at intermediate and high altitudes.

Tendency

A clear night will be followed in the early morning by favourable conditions generally, but the danger of wet avalanches will increase later.

Regions
AT-07-07, AT-07-08, AT-07-09, AT-07-10, AT-07-11, AT-07-01, AT-07-12, AT-07-13, AT-07-02, AT-07-03

AM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2400m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2800m, N-NE-NW

PM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2400m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Wind-drifted snow above 2800m, N-NE-NW

Loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches are the main danger.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area 10 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen in the last few days above approximately 1000 m. The fresh wind slabs have bonded quite well with the old snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. In some cases wind slabs are lying on soft layers. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2800 m. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be quite good. The old snowpack will be wet all the way through at intermediate and high altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche conditions in the morning are favourable. Moist and wet avalanches as the day progresses.

Regions
AT-07-05, AT-07-17, AT-07-06, AT-07-18

AM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

PM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

Loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches are the main danger.

A moderate (level 2) danger of moist loose snow avalanches exists. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of loose snow avalanches being released will increase appreciably in all aspects. These can penetrate deep layers and reach medium size. In the event of prolonged bright spells caution is to be exercised in particular.
In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2300 m in all aspects, also on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen in the last few days above approximately 1000 m. The fresh wind slabs have bonded well with the old snowpack. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be severely restricted. The old snowpack will be wet all the way through at intermediate and high altitudes.

Tendency

A clear night will be followed in the early morning by favourable conditions generally, but the danger of wet avalanches will increase later.

Regions
IT-32-TN-12, IT-32-TN-15, IT-32-TN-03

AM
Danger level
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2000m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2000m
Avalanche Problem
Favourable situation above 2000m

PM
Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2000m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow above 2000m, N-NE-E-W-NW

Wet and gliding avalanches especially on steep grassy slopes.

As a consequence of warming during the day, the likelihood of wet loose snow 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

The fresh snow and wind slabs of the last two days are lying on the quite favourable surface of an old snowpack in all aspects above approximately 1800 m. Only a little snow is lying on south facing slopes.

Tendency

The conditions are mostly favourable.

Regions
IT-32-TN-14, IT-32-TN-17, IT-32-TN-06, IT-32-TN-18, IT-32-TN-09, IT-32-TN-20, IT-32-BZ-16, IT-32-TN-11, IT-32-TN-10, IT-32-TN-21

AM
Danger level
Danger Level 1 - Low
Avalanche Problem
Favourable situation above the treeline

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

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

From origins in starting zones at higher altitudes individual natural avalanches are possible, but they will be mostly small. As a consequence of warming during the day, the likelihood of moist and wet avalanches being released will increase for a while in particular on steep grassy slopes at high altitude. Backcountry touring calls for defensive route selection.

Snowpack

The fresh snow and wind slabs of the last few days have bonded quite well with the old snowpack in all aspects. The snowpack will be generally moist. Hardly any snow is lying on south facing slopes.

Tendency

The conditions are spring-like.