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. In the last few days small wind slabs formed in Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary. These are to be evaluated with care and prudence. 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 an 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, steep south-facing slopes are snow-free up to around 3000 m; where there is still snow, it is wet as far as the Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary.

In the mostly clear overnight conditions, a load-bearing Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind.EAWS glossary forms above approximately 2000 m, which softens over the course of the day.

Weather review for Thursday

It was mostly sunny in the north and cloudy in the south.

Fresh snow

A few centimetres above approximately 2400 m on the main Alpine ridge

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +9 °C in the west, +6 °C in the north and +2 °C in the south.

Wind

Mainly light

Weather forecast to Friday

Conditions will be mostly clear overnight to Friday, with occasional cloud in the south, while the daytime will be mostly sunny.

Fresh snow

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +7 °C in the north and +5 °C in the south

Wind

Light

Outlook to Sunday

The night to Saturday will mostly be clear. During the day, it will mostly be sunny but cumulus clouds will develop in the west and isolated showers are possible. There will be patchy cloud overnight to Sunday. During the day, there will be sunny intervals; in the east it will be sunny. Winds will be light to moderate from southerly directions. The zero-degree level will be around 3000 m.

Conditions will be favourable in the morning. The danger of wet avalanches will increase over the course of each day, rapidly so on Sunday due to the overnight reduction in outgoing longwave radiation.

Source

SLF

Issued

30 Apr 15:00 UTC

Valid until

1 May 15:00 UTC

Next update

1 May 15:00 UTC