Alps face rapid snowmelt as unseasonable warmth triggers avalanche risks

Unseasonably warm spring weather has arrived in the Alps, pushing temperatures far above normal for this time of year. The sudden shift follows heavy snowfall in late February, but now rising temperatures and humidity are rapidly changing snow conditions across the region.

Last week, parts of the western Alps experienced heavy snow, with up to 44 cm recorded in Lesachtal and 32 cm in Vorarlberg. The snowfall briefly placed the area under the highest avalanche warning level. Since then, a warm front has moved in, lifting the freezing line above 1,000–1,500 metres—unusual for mid-February, when cold weather typically dominates.

This week, temperatures continue to climb, with the freezing level reaching around 3,000 metres. At 2,000 metres, readings could hit 10°C by Wednesday. The combination of warmth and higher humidity is speeding up snowmelt, particularly below 1,500 to 1,700 metres, where the snowpack is shrinking fast.

Above roughly 2,000 metres, the snow remains mostly stable, though sun-exposed slopes may weaken due to dry air. However, between 1,500 and 2,400 metres, the risk of glide-snow avalanches is rising. The WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) has kept the avalanche danger level at 'considerable'—the third-highest rating—for many Alpine areas.

Despite the recent warmth, the snowpack is still reacting to earlier cold spells. Sublimation, melting, and thawing now vary by altitude and humidity. The dew point, which measures air moisture, shows how quickly saturation occurs as temperatures fluctuate. Experts warn that surprisingly large avalanches remain possible in the coming days.

The rapid temperature rise has created unstable conditions, particularly at mid-altitudes. While higher slopes stay mostly intact, lower areas face faster snow loss and higher avalanche risks. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the unusual springlike weather persists.