Day Risk Profile

Low

Moderate

Later

Avalanche Problems

Dry avalanches, whole day

No distinct problem 1

N, NE, E, NW

above 2600m

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 2600m

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 2600 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 2600 m, and east- and west-facing slopes between approximately 2500 and 3000 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, the surface of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary freezes and becomes load-bearing before softening over the course of the day.

Weather review for Friday

In the north, it was sunny after a clear night. In the south, it was cloudy with bright spells during the day.

Fresh snow

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +9 °C in the north and +4 °C in the south

Wind

Mainly light

Weather forecast to Saturday

Overnight to Saturday, there will be patchy cloud in the west with skies mostly being clear elsewhere. During the day, it will be mostly sunny, but cumulus clouds will develop in the west and south and there is a possibility of isolated showers.

Fresh snow

Temperature

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

Wind

Mainly light

Outlook

Sunday

There will be patchy cloud overnight to Sunday. During the day, it will be mostly sunny in the east. In the west and south, it will be cloudy with some bright spells and there is a possibility of isolated showers in the afternoon. There will be moderate winds at times from southerly directions.

Due to reduced outgoing longwave radiation overnight and with sunshine in the east, the danger of wet avalanches will increase more quickly than on the last few days.

Monday

Sunday night into Monday will be cloudy. During the day, there will still be some bright spells in the east, and some showers along the main Alpine ridge. The snowfall level will be around 2300 m. The wind will be moderate to strong from southerly directions.

The danger of dry avalanches may increase slightly in the Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary. The danger of wet avalanches will increase from the morning onwards where there is reduced outgoing longwave radiation overnight and rainfall.

Source

SLF

Issued

1 May 15:00 UTC

Valid until

2 May 15:00 UTC

Next update

2 May 15:00 UTC