Avalanche.report

Friday 24.03.2023

Published 23 03 2023, 17:00


Danger level

2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Persistent weak layer
2400m


Natural wet avalanches are to be expected. Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.

From late morning, individual wet avalanches are to be expected. In some cases they are medium-sized. This applies on sunny slopes below approximately 2800 m, as well as on west and east facing slopes below approximately 2600 m, in isolated cases also on north facing slopes below approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of wet avalanches being released will increase in particular on shady slopes below approximately 2400 m. Backcountry tours and ascents to alpine cabins should be started very early and concluded timely. Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in very isolated cases by winter sport participants, especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. The avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular on extremely steep northeast facing slopes.

Snowpack

dp.10: springtime scenario
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

The spring-like weather conditions gave rise to increasing and thorough wetting of the snowpack. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be reduced over a wide area. The surface of the snowpack is frozen, but not to a significant depth and will soften quickly. All aspects, below approximately 2800 m: The snowpack will become increasingly wet all the way through. At higher altitudes the snowpack is dryer.
Up to 2400 m rain will fall from the afternoon in some regions. At higher altitudes in some localities up to 5 cm of snow will fall.

Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2400 m.

Tendency

As a consequence of new snow and wind there will be only a slight increase in the danger of dry avalanches, in particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Gradual decrease in danger of wet avalanches as the temperature drops.


Danger level



Moist and wet snow slides are the main danger.

In the early morning the natural activity of small and medium moist and wet avalanches will gradually increase, in particular on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes, as well as on very steep shady slopes below approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of wet avalanches being released will increase in particular on shady slopes below approximately 2400 m.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in very isolated cases by winter sport participants.

Snowpack

dp.10: springtime scenario
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

The surface of the snowpack will cool hardly at all during the overcast night and will already be soft in the early morning. The spring-like weather conditions gave rise to gradual and thorough wetting of the snowpack, especially on steep sunny slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions, as well as on west, north and east facing slopes at intermediate and high altitudes. These conditions will bring about a weakening of the snowpack. Up to 2400 m rain will fall from the afternoon in some regions.

Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack.

Tendency

Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be reduced in some case. Moist and wet avalanches are the main danger.