Avalanche situation (week 7): CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger in large parts of the Alps

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Avalanche situation (week 7): CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger in large parts of the Alps

meteomorris on 15 February 2018 · 2 replies

This is the current avalanche overview of the Alps of week 7. The avalanche danger has risen in large parts of the Alps. A new storm is arriving in the Alps. This results in rising temperatures, wet snow or rain up to high altitude and the wind is pretty strong. Slopes that initially seemed to be stable can become unstable due to the rise in temperature, rain and/or fresh snow.

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.

^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.

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Mainly CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger

The avalanche risk increases with the new storm coming iun. The remarkable rise in temperature is a well-known red flag for avalanche experts. You can expect CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger (3 on a scale of 5) the next couple of days.

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.

Weekend: mild with snowfall in the north(west), rain and wind, and sunshine

A mild storm is moving towards the Alps. The temperature is expected to drop slightly during the weekend, which may cause a stabilization after the rise in temperature. Before that happens, an increasing temperature, wind, rain and snow ensure a rising avalanche risk. You’ll find the main avalanche problems per region below:

Western Alps and northwest of the Alps
The snow cover in the western Alps will get wet due to rain and wet snow the next couple of hours. Glide snow avalanches and wet snow avalanches are becoming a problem. Fresh wind-drifted snow is formed by the strong wind and the fresh snow higher up the mountain. The biggest risks right now:

Slab avalanches
Wet snow avalanches