You can find an overview of the current avalanche situation in the Alps on wePowder every Thursday. It’s based on the current avalanche forecast in the Alps. This overview is definitely not complete, but gives you a good impression of the current avalanche danger. We strongly advise you to read the complete avalanche forecast. The avalanche forecast is an indispensable tool if you want to go off-piste. In addition to the current avalanche danger in the form of a figure, it contains a range of data that’s very useful to you as a skier or snowboarder. You’ll find a global overview of the Alps below with links to the various avalanche forecasts. For an explanation of the icons used and the avalanche scale, click here.
From EXTREME to MODERATE avalanche danger in the northwest
The Alps had to deal with EXTREME avalanche danger last month. A couple of big storms caused resulted in EXTREME avalanech danger and a snow cover that’s as thick (or even thicker) at 2000 meters as in the avalanche winter of 1999/2000. The snow cover has settled itself. The last couple of days were pretty mild in the Alps. Combined with the drop in temperature and the cold air that arrived in the Alps on the 1st of February, the snow cover could further stabilize.
No rights can be derived from the map below. It just gives you an overall view of the situation in the Alps. Always check the local avalanche forecast. You will find the direct links below, but you’ll also find the links on the resort and ski area pages on wePowder.
New storm, fresh snow, rising avalanche danger
There’s a new storm hitting the Alps right now. The fresh snow, locally combined with lots of wind, falls on top of a hard layer and this results in a rising avalanche danger. The hard layer is the result of the thaw-freeze-freeze cycle that took place in the past few days. You’ll find the main avalanche problems per region below:
Western Alps
The snow cover in the western Alps has been able to stabilize over the past period. Glide snow avalanches are rarely a problem anymore. The avalanche danger has risen considerably in large parts of this region thanks to a new storm: SIGNIFICANT (3 on a scale of 5). Biggest problems due to the incoming storm are:
- Fresh snow avalanches
- Slab avalanches
Direct links to regional avalanche forecasts:
Note: the site of Météo France is a drama and the links do not always work. Unfortunately, we can not do anything about that.
Northern Alps
The snow cover in the northern Alps has stabilized over the past period. Glide snow avalanches are rarely a problem anymore. The avalanche danger has risen considerably in large parts of this region thanks to a new storm: CONSIDERABLE (3 on a scale of 5). In the rest of the region it fluctuates between MODERATE (2 on a scale of 5). Biggest problems due to the incoming storm are:
- Slab avalanches
- Some rare glide snow avalanches
Exceptions are the resorts close to the main alpine ridge, they have the same problems as in the Hohe Tauern.
Direct links to regional avalanche forecasts:
Hohe Tauern
The Hohe Tauern have to deal with a snow sandwich (check out this weather forecast). Although the snow cover has been able to stabilize over the past period, you have to expect a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger (3 on a scale of 5) the next few days. There is a lot of snow falling and the wind blows from various directions. Fresh wind-drifted snow can sometimes be difficult to recognize due to fresh snow and changing wind directions. The biggest avalanche problems are:
- Fresh snow avalanches
- Slab avalanches
Direct links to regional avalanche forecasts:
Western southern Alps
The snow cover has stabilized over the past period. A new storm cycle with a lot of wind will transport a lot of snow. The avalanche danger is mostly MODERATE (2 on a scale of 5). The biggest avalanche problems are:
- Small slab avalanches
- Glide snow avalanches
Direct links to regional avalanche forecasts:
Eastern southern Alps
The snow cover has been able to stabilize over the past period, but a new storm cycle causes an increase in the avalanche danger. The combination of a lot of snow, locally also strong wind and a sliding layer results in CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger (3 on a scale of 5). The problem is mainly the fresh snow that falls:
- Spontaneous avalanches
- Slab avalanches
Direct links to regional avalanche forecasts:
Alpe Adria
The snow cover has been able to stabilize over the past period, but a new storm cycle is causing a significant increase in the avalanche danger. The combination of a lot of snow, strong wind and a sliding layer results in HIGH avalanche danger (4 on a scale of 5). The problem is mainly the fresh snow that falls:
- Spontaneous avalanches
- Slab avalanches
Direct links to regional avalanche forecasts:
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Replies
Sella Nevea closed today due to too much snow. 40-50 in the village (heavy snow) and according to reports 100+ up on the mountain… goddamn. ?