Central Grisons and Anterior Rhine

Zervreila

Tue 21 Apr Sunrise 06:25 20:19 Overcast

Hard-to-read day. Persistent or gliding-snow problems can mask the real risk.

Day Risk Profile

Moderate
All day

Avalanche Problems

Dry snow level 2 Persistent weak layers dry All day
N, NE, NW
above 2600m
In some places dry avalanches can be released in the old snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Caution is to be exercised on steep, rather lightly snow-covered shady slopes in little used backcountry terrain. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger. In addition the small wind slabs in high Alpine regions are prone to triggering in isolated cases. These are to be evaluated with care and prudence in terrain where there is a danger of falling.
Wet snow level 2 Wet snow wet Later
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. This applies in particular on steep north facing slopes below approximately 2500 m, as well as on steep east, south and west facing slopes between approximately 2500 and 3000 m. Wet avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow by people. Isolated whumpfing sounds and penetration of the old snow cover can indicate the danger. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases. Backcountry tours and ascents to alpine cabins should be started early and concluded timely.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

With the mild temperatures of the last two weeks, moisture penetration into the snowpack is already well advanced. At present, it is only increasing slowly. North-facing slopes at altitudes between 2200 and 2500 m are most susceptible to moisture penetration. On east- and west-facing slopes, the critical altitudes are somewhat higher, at approximately between 2500 and 2800 m. On south-facing slopes, moisture penetration into the snowpack extends as far as the high alpine regions. It is on these aspects and at these altitudes that isolated large or occasionally also very large wet slab avalanches may be triggered naturally.

In Grisons, the weak layers in the old snowpack are the least deeply buried, and it is here that wet slab avalanches are likely also to be triggered by human activity. Whumpfing sounds continue to be a possible indication of a weak snowpack.

At higher altitudes, where the snowpack is still dry, the weak layers in the old snowpack must continue to be assessed with caution. However, dry avalanches have been rare in recent days.

Weather review for Monday

During the first half of the night, the last precipitation fell in the northeast and in the south. During the day, it was mostly sunny in the west and south, and partly cloudy in the northeast.

Fresh snow

A few centimetres locally above approximately 2400 m

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +5 °C in the southwest and 0 °C in the northeast

Wind

Moderate during the night, mostly light during the day from westerly directions

Weather forecast to Tuesday

The night into Tuesday will be mostly clear despite some clouds, with partly cloudy conditions in the northeast. During the day, it will be mostly sunny. On the central and eastern northern flank of the Alps and in the Prättigau, it will be cloudy.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +4 °C in the southwest and -2 °C in the northeast

Wind

Light to moderate from westerly directions

Outlook to Thursday

During the night into Wednesday, it will be cloudy in the far south with some showers, while during the day it will become increasingly sunny. In the north, Wednesday will be mainly sunny after a mostly clear night. The night into Thursday will be clear in many regions. During the day, it will be sunny.

The danger of dry avalanches will not change significantly. The danger of wet avalanches will increase during each day. Off-piste skiing and hut ascents should be completed in good time.

Issued

20 Apr 15:00 UTC

Valid until

21 Apr 15:00 UTC

Next update

21 Apr 15:00 UTC

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