Border Pennine Alps

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh snow and the sometimes deep wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, at intermediate and high altitudes. The avalanche prone locations are to be found adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. On steep shady slopes the avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach large size in isolated cases. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Off-piste activities call for experience and restraint. Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible.

Over a wide area 50 to 80 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 2000 m. More snow than expected fell on Thursday. The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. Faceted weak layers exist deep in the snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. Friday: A lot more new snow than expected: Reports filed by observers and artificially triggered avalanches have confirmed a dangerous avalanche situation.

The weather conditions will foster a slow stabilisation of the snowpack.