The eastern and northern alps just got annihilated by a winter storm that delivered upwards of 4+ feet to the higher elevations of eastern/central Switzerland and western Austria.
As a result, the avalanche danger is spiking across the board and with blue skies in the forecast for some areas– it’s vitally important to not get ahead of your skis to use the old cliche.
Three skiers and two snowshoers have already died in Austria during the latest avy cycle and two more remain missing. That’s not even including Switzerland, where one female skier is reported to have died in a fatal slide.
“As a consequence of fresh snow and strong wind the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses. Gliding avalanches can be released at any time of day or night.”
While the snow is most definitely DEEP, it bears noting that it will take close to a week or more for this massive amount of snowfall to bond with other snow surfaces/layers (*if temps cooperate).
Find up-to-date bulletins here: Avalanche Report [Switzerland] | Avalanche Report [Austria]