Churfirsten and Rhine Valley
Appenzeller Alpen
Day Risk Profile
Avalanche Problems
No distinct problem
1
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.
Snowpack & Weather
Snowpack
There are distinct 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 middle and lower part of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary, particularly on wind-protected shady slopes. These areas are particularly widespread south of a line from the Rhône to the Rhine and on the southern flank of the Alps. In these weak layers, medium-sized and sometimes even large avalanches can still be triggered by human activity. The snowpack on northern and eastern slopes in central Valais, as well as in northern Grisons, is particularly prone to triggering and remote triggering is also still possible in these areas in particular. North of a line from the Rhone to the Rhine, the snowpack structure is somewhat more stable and there are fewer hazardous zones.
Weather review for Thursday
In the west conditions were generally very cloudy, elsewhere mostly sunny.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between -1°C in the north and -3°C in the south
Wind
Overnight moderate at times from westerly directions, during the day mostly light
Weather forecast to Friday
In the north-east, conditions will still be mostly sunny in the morning due to the foehn wind, but later it will become increasingly cloudy. Valais will see sunny intervals at first, but later on and elsewhere on the western part of the northern flank of the Alps conditions will be mostly cloudy. On the southern flank of the Alps skies will be overcast and a little snow will fall down to low altitudes.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between -2°C in the north and -4°C in the south
Wind
South to southwest
- increasing to moderate during the second half of the night
- gradually turning strong on the Main Alpine Ridge
- moderate foehn wind in the north
Outlook to Sunday
On Saturday and Sunday conditions will be overcast on the southern flank of the Alps. Snow will fall during the nights to Saturday and Sunday down to low altitudes. On the central part of the southern flank of the Alps 20 to 30 cm of snow may fall, elsewhere less. In the north, Saturday will be comparatively sunny with variable cloud cover, while Sunday will see only occasional sunny intervals. Saturday in particular will see little snowfall. The wind will be a moderate southwesterly at times, strong at higher altitudes.
Avalanche risk will increase with the fresh snowfall on the Main Alpine Ridge and south of there, but elsewhere will not change significantly. 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 will remain prone to triggering, especially in the inneralpine regions.