Saualpe North

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow by a single winter sport participant. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. In isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized. In addition the fresh and older wind slabs are capable of being triggered. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.

In some regions up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack is faceted. This applies especially in shady places that are protected from the wind.

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.