Fresh wind slabs at elevated altitudes. Slight increase in danger of wet avalanches.
As a consequence of a sometimes strong southerly foehn wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in some cases. Such avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes, in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In regions exposed to the foehn wind these avalanche prone locations are a little more prevalent.
As a consequence of warming during the day, the likelihood of wet loose snow avalanches being released will increase. On very steep slopes individual mostly small wet loose snow avalanches are possible from late morning. An increasing number of small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible as the penetration by moisture increases.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.10: springtime scenario
As a consequence of a sometimes strong southerly foehn wind, small wind slabs will form in the regions exposed to the foehn wind. Faceted weak layers exist deeper in the old snowpack on little used shady slopes.
As a consequence of mild temperatures and partly cloudy skies no crust will develop 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 wind will be strong over a wide area in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind. The foehn wind will transport only a little snow. Fresh wind slabs will form in particular in high Alpine regions.
The surface of the snowpack will cool hardly at all during the overcast night. The weather conditions will give rise to increasing softening of the snowpack. This applies at intermediate and high altitudes.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wet snow
2200m
Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger. Slight increase in danger of wet avalanches.
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 steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on sunny slopes in high Alpine regions. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. In isolated cases avalanches can also release deeper layers of the snowpack and reach large size. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. The current avalanche situation calls for meticulous route selection.
On very steep slopes small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized wet loose snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.10: springtime scenario
In some regions up to 10 cm of snow will fall. Up to 1800 m and above rain will fall in some regions.
The new snow and wind slabs of last week are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack especially on little used shady slopes. The somewhat older wind slabs are now only very rarely prone to triggering.
Sunny slopes: As a consequence of mild temperatures and very cloudy skies no crust will develop on the surface during the course of the night. The spring-like weather conditions will give rise to increasing softening of the snowpack. Below the tree line only a little snow is now lying.
Tendency
Some snow will fall. Weakly bonded old snow and wet snow require caution. The surface of the snowpack will cool hardly at all during the overcast night and will soften quickly.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Fresh wind slabs at elevated altitudes. Slight increase in danger of wet avalanches.
As a consequence of a sometimes strong southerly foehn wind, clearly visible wind slabs will form. These are mostly small and can only be released in isolated cases, caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
As a consequence of warming during the day, the likelihood of wet loose snow avalanches being released will increase. On very steep slopes individual small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized wet loose snow avalanches are possible from late morning. This applies in particular in the regions with a lot of snow.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
Steep shady slopes: The snowpack is largely stable; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow. This applies in particular above approximately 2200 m. The somewhat older wind slabs have bonded well with the old snowpack.
Sunny slopes: As a consequence of mild temperatures and partly cloudy skies no crust will develop 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 surface of the snowpack will cool hardly at all during the overcast night. The weather conditions will give rise to increasing softening of the snowpack. This also applies at intermediate and high altitudes. The wind will be moderate to strong in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind.
