Churfirsten and Rhine Valley
Appenzeller Alpen
Hard-to-read day. Moderate, with gliding snow buried — the slope that fails will look like the one that held.
Day Risk Profile
Avalanche Problems
No distinct problem
2=
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.
Gliding snow
2=
Field notes
Almost impossible to predict precisely, even when the warning signs are visible. A crack visible on the snowpack surface formed by snow-gliding on steep, and particularly grass-covered slopes. Areas below slopes with visible glide cracks should be avoided whenever possible due to threat of gliding sluffs or avalanches.EAWS glossary — gaps that open in the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary down to the ground — are often precursors to release, but they don't tell you when. A glide avalanche can release minutes after the cracks appear, or weeks later, or not at all. Some release without any visible warning. Avoid lingering anywhere near glide cracks: above them, alongside them, or below in the runout.
Snowpack & Weather
Snowpack
Especially on shady slopes, the large amounts of fresh and drifted snow from the last period of precipitation are lying on faceted 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. Avalanches can still be triggered in these weak layers in isolated cases, especially in areas with relatively little snow. These may be large.
In the inneralpine regions of Valais and especially Grisons, 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 of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary are additionally still prone to triggering in some places, with avalanches possibly being triggered in near-ground weak layers in isolated cases.
With rising temperatures and a cloudy night in the north, gliding avalanche activity will continue to increase, initially especially below approximately 2200 m on the northern flank of the Alps.
Weather review for Friday
During the night into Friday, it was mostly very cloudy on the eastern part of the northern flank of the Alps and in northern and central Grisons. It was mostly clear in Valais, otherwise partly clear. Conditions were mostly sunny during the day.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between -3 °C in the north and +4 °C in the south
Wind
During the night into Friday, still moderate to strong from the northeast, during the day mostly moderate at high altitudes
Weather forecast to Saturday
During the night into Saturday, it will be partly clear on the southern flank of the Alps, otherwise mostly very cloudy. A little precipitation is expected during the night, especially on the northern Alpine ridge and in northern and central Grisons. The snowfall level will rise from 1400 to 1800 m. As the day progresses, sunny spells will increase from the southwest. In the west and on the southern flank of the Alps, it will be mostly sunny; there will be increasing bright spells in the east.
Fresh snow
- On the northern Alpine ridge and in northern and central Grisons: a few centimetres above 2000 m
- elsewhere less or dry
Temperature
Significantly increasing, at midday at 2000 m between +3 °C in the north and +6 °C in the south
Wind
- Moderate northerly winds initially on the northern Alpine ridge, the Main Alpine Ridge and the southern flank of the Alps; easing as the day progresses
- Elsewhere light
Outlook to Monday
The night into Sunday will be mostly clear. It will be sunny during the day. The night into Monday will be mostly very cloudy and showers are expected in the east. The snowfall level will be around 2200 m. It will be mostly sunny during the day. Winds will be light to moderate from westerly directions. It will be very mild and the zero-degree level will be just under 3000 m.
The danger of dry avalanches will continue to decrease. The danger of wet and gliding avalanches will increase on Sunday as the day progresses after a mostly clear night. On Monday it is likely to increase in the early morning due to the cloudy night and mild weather.