Avalanche.report

Wednesday 19 March 2025

Published 18 Mar 2025, 17:00:00


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2400m


Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger. Wind slabs require caution.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in some places by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Such avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Avalanches can reach medium size.

Wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, especially adjacent to ridgelines. The mostly small wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye.

As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of moist loose snow slides being released will increase a little on extremely steep south facing slopes.

Snowpack

dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Shady slopes:
Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular on little used shady slopes. As a consequence of a moderate wind, wind slabs formed adjacent to ridgelines. These are lying on soft layers at elevated altitudes.

Sunny slopes:
The snowpack will be in most cases well bonded. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to increasing softening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes. Below the tree line only a little snow is now lying.

Tendency

Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of wet snow slides being released will increase a little in particular on extremely steep sunny slopes.


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m


Wind slabs require caution.

Fresh wind slabs are in isolated cases prone to triggering. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on near-ridge shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. In regions exposed to the foehn wind these avalanche prone locations are a little more prevalent. They are easy to recognise. Avalanches can reach medium size in isolated cases.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in very isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in little used backcountry terrain above approximately 2200 m, especially on very steep shady slopes.

As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of moist loose snow slides being released will increase a little on extremely steep south facing slopes.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold

Shady slopes:
As a consequence of a moderate southerly foehn wind, clearly visible wind slabs will form on Wednesday in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind. They are lying on unfavourable layers in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist deeper in the old snowpack on little used shady slopes.

Sunny slopes:
The snowpack will be in most cases well bonded. As a consequence of low temperatures and low relative humidity a crust will form on the surface during the course of the night. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to increasing softening of the snowpack. Below the tree line only a little snow is now lying.

Tendency

The weather conditions will facilitate a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.


Danger level



A generally favourable avalanche situation will prevail.

Individual avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on extremely steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes, in particular adjacent to ridgelines.

Individual small gliding avalanches and wet snow slides are possible. This applies on extremely steep sunny slopes.

Snowpack

The snowpack is largely stable. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to increasing softening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes. Below the tree line only a little snow is now lying.

Tendency

The avalanche conditions are generally favourable.


Danger level



The conditions are quite favourable.

The mostly small wind slabs are in individual cases still prone to triggering on extremely steep shady slopes. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines above approximately 2400 m. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye.

As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of moist loose snow slides being released will increase a little on extremely steep south facing slopes. On steep grassy slopes small to medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. This applies in particular in the northwest.

Snowpack

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

Shady slopes:
The snowpack is largely stable; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow. This applies in particular above approximately 2200 m. More recent wind slabs are to be found adjacent to ridgelines and at elevated altitudes.

Sunny slopes:
The snowpack will be in most cases well bonded. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to increasing softening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes. Below the tree line only a little snow is now lying.

Tendency

The conditions are generally favourable.