Day Risk Profile

Low

Moderate

Later

Avalanche Problems

Dry avalanches, whole day

No distinct problem 1

N, NE, E, SE, W, NW

above 2400m

Individual Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary for dry avalanches are to be found in particular in extremely steep terrain. Caution is to be exercised on rather lightly snow-covered shady slopes in little used backcountry terrain. In addition small wind slabs formed in Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary. They are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in extremely steep terrain. 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. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.

Field notes

SLF uses this label when no single problem dominates the assessment, often on lower-danger days. It doesn't mean conditions are safe: any avalanche type is still possible, and normal caution applies. On stable days this is usually a signal to enjoy the mountains with general awareness; on less-stable days where the assessment is still inconclusive, it's a signal to be cautious specifically because there's no clear pattern to follow.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Wet-snow avalanches, as the day progresses

Wet snow 2

N, E, W

below 2500m

As the day progresses as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation there will be only a slight increase in the danger. This applies in particular on very steep north facing slopes below approximately 2500 m, as well as on very steep east and west facing slopes between approximately 2500 and 3000 m. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Backcountry tours and ascents to alpine cabins should be started early and concluded timely.

Field notes

Rolling snowballs, deep penetration when you step or ski, and small natural slides are clear signals that the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is losing strength. After a clear, cold night the surface often freezes into a strong supporting Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind.EAWS glossary, and conditions are favourable in the early morning. After a warm, overcast night, the problem may be present from the start of the day. Plan early returns and watch the runout zones below you.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Saturation of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is well advanced. The most precarious areas are slopes where Snowpack layer in which the crystals are poorly bonded and the layer has the potential to fail. Typical crystals in dry weak layers causing avalanches are : precipitation particles; surface hoar; faceted crystals; hollow crystals; graupel. Generally >1mm in size, loose grains with few bonds Wet weak layers can be formed by all snow crystal/grain types.EAWS glossary in the Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary are becoming wet for the first time. At present, this is mainly affecting north-facing slopes between approximately 2200 and 2500 m, and east- and west-facing slopes between approximately 2500 and 2800 m. In many places, south-facing slopes are snow-free up to around 3000 m; where there is still snow, it is saturated as far as the Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary.

In the north above approximately 2000 m, the mainly clear overnight conditions are resulting in the formation of a load-bearing Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind.EAWS glossary, which softens over the course of the day. There is less outgoing longwave radiation in the south with only a thin crust being formed.

Weather review for Wednesday

There was widespread precipitation overnight to Wednesday. There were clear spells in the west during the day; elsewhere it was very cloudy with showers. The snowfall level was between 2000 and 2300 m.

Fresh snow

From Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon, there was a widespread 5 to 15 cm of fresh snow above 2500 m

Temperature

At noon at 2000 m, between +8 °C in the west and +4 °C in the east and south

Wind

Light from southerly directions, occasionally moderate in the north

Weather forecast to Thursday

In the north, the night into Thursday will be mostly clear while during the day it will be mostly sunny. In the south, there will only be clear spells overnight. Conditions will become increasingly sunny over the course of the day.

Fresh snow

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +6 °C in the north and +2 °C in the south

Wind

Mostly light; in the Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary occasionally moderate from northerly directions

Outlook to Saturday

After clear nights, conditions will be mainly sunny on both days. Clouds will move in from the northwest on Saturday afternoon and there is a possibility of isolated showers. Winds will mostly be light. The zero-degree level will be around 3000 m.

Conditions will be favourable each morning. The danger of wet avalanches will increase somewhat over the course of the day.

Source

SLF

Issued

29 Apr 15:00 UTC

Valid until

30 Apr 15:00 UTC

Next update

30 Apr 15:00 UTC