AVY Base

Switzerland · 18.05.2026

Montana

EAWS avalanche danger level 2

Moderate

Danger level

Moderate — Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features

Triggering is possible, primarily from high additional loads, particularly on indicated steep slopes.

Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify features of concern.

Avalanche problems

  • No distinct avalanche problem

    No distinct avalanche problem

    No clear pattern — any avalanche type is possible. Normal caution is still advised.

    Do not interpret the absence of a typical problem as safe conditions.

Stability

SnowpackThe new snow and wind-drifted snow from recent days are still partly prone to triggering, especially on shaded slopes in high alpine terrain. At the transition to the underlying old snowpack, coarse-grained weak layers are still present in some places, particularly on north- and east-facing slopes at higher elevations.

Snow quality

SnowpackThe new snow and wind-drifted snow from recent days are still partly prone to triggering, especially on shaded slopes in high alpine terrain. At the transition to the underlying old snowpack, coarse-grained weak layers are still present in some places, particularly on north- and east-facing slopes at higher elevations.

Tendency

Outlook to WednesdayMonday night into Tuesday will be partly cloudy in the east and a little snow will fall above 1800 m. In the morning, there will still be residual clouds in the east. Elsewhere, it will be quite sunny at first before clouds move in from the west. In the afternoon, there will be showers in the west, falling as snow above 2200 m. Tuesday night into Wednesday will be clear in the south and often cloudy elsewhere. In central and eastern Switzerland, up to 10 cm of snow will fall above approximately 2200 m. During the day, it will be cloudy with showers in the east. In the west, conditions will be changeable, and in the south it will be quite sunny. There will be a westerly wind on both days, mostly light on Tuesday and moderate at times on Wednesday. The zero-degree level will be at 2500 m on Tuesday, rising towards 2800 m on Wednesday afternoon.The danger of dry avalanches will decrease. Dry avalanches can still be triggered, primarily on very steep north- and east-facing slopes in the high alpine regions. The danger of wet avalanches will increase slightly as each day progresses. Backcountry ski tours should be completed early.