Day Risk Profile

Low

Considerable

Later

Avalanche Problems

Dry avalanches, whole day

No distinct problem 1

All aspects

above 2400m

Dry avalanches can in isolated cases be released by people and reach medium size. The number and size of Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary will increase in the Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary. Caution is to be exercised in particular on extremely steep slopes. 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.

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 3

N, E, S, W

below 2400m

As the day progresses as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation there will be an increase in the danger of wet avalanches. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes between approximately 2500 and 3000 m, as well as on steep north facing slopes below approximately 2400 m. Wet avalanches can release the entire Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary and reach very large size in isolated cases. 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

On south-facing slopes, the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is water-saturated up to around 3000 m, on east- and west-facing slopes up to 2500 to 2700 m, and on north-facing slopes up to around 2000 m. Moistening of the snowpack is progressing on northwest- to northeast-facing slopes between 2000 and 2500 m. It is especially on these Direction in which a slope faces as indicated by compass direction of the fall line; i.e. a north slope faces in a northerly direction.EAWS glossary and at these altitudes that large and occasionally even very large wet The abrupt release of a slab of snow on a mountain slope. After crack initiation and crack propagation in a weak layer the released slab comprises 3 elements: The weak layer, the gliding horizon and the slab. If the slope angle is steep enough, the slab will glide down. If the slope is not steep enough, the slab will settle down on the failed weak layer. Possibly a whumpf sound will follow due to air pressed out of the weak layer. The fracture line will be sharp edged.EAWS glossary may be triggered naturally as near-ground 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 become moist for the first time. Weak layers in the Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary are most pronounced in the inneralpine regions of Valais and Grisons and it is especially here that wet slab avalanches triggered by human activity are also to be expected.

In addition, isolated avalanches may still be triggered at higher altitudes in the dry Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary or in the fresh and drifted snow from the beginning of the week.

Weather review for Wednesday

There were clear spells overnight to Wednesday. If was often cloudy in the Prealps and in the south during the day but very sunny elsewhere.

Fresh snow

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +8 °C in the west and +5 °C in the east

Wind

Mostly light from southerly directions

Weather forecast to Thursday

There will be clear spells overnight to Thursday. Low cloud means that there will only be sunny intervals during the day in the north and east, while it will be mostly sunny elsewhere in the mountains.

Fresh snow

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +4 °C in the north and +6 °C in the south

Wind

Light from northerly directions

Outlook to Saturday

On Friday, after a mostly clear night, it will be quite sunny during the day despite passing high clouds. On Saturday, after a clear night, it will be mostly sunny during the day on Saturday. The zero-degree level will be around 3000 m on both days and winds will be light.

The danger of dry avalanches will continue to decrease. Conditions will be very favourable in the morning. Each day, the danger of wet avalanches will increase as the day progresses. Off-piste skiing and hut ascents should be completed in good time.

Source

SLF

Issued

15 Apr 15:00 UTC

Valid until

16 Apr 15:00 UTC

Next update

16 Apr 15:00 UTC