Avalanche.report

Sunday 21.02.2021

Published 20 02 2021, 17:00

AM

Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2400m

PM

Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2400m
Wind-drifted snow
2400m

Increase in danger of wet avalanches in the course of the day. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

A clear night will be followed in the early morning by quite favourable conditions. 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 and gliding avalanches. This applies especially on very steep sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m, as well as in steep rocky terrain. In isolated cases avalanches are large. Backcountry tours should be concluded timely.
As a consequence of the moderate to strong southwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Sunday. They can only be released by large loads in most cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m and adjacent to ridgelines. In the regions exposed to the foehn wind the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Avalanches can additionally in very isolated cases be released in deeper layers by large loads, especially in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Such avalanche prone locations are very rare.

Snowpack

dp.10: springtime scenario
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be good over a wide area. The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust and will soften during the day. The high temperatures will give rise to gradual and thorough wetting of the snowpack, in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m.
The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations stabilised. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack on steep west, north and east facing slopes.

Tendency

Increase in danger of wet avalanches in the course of the day.