Border Graie Alps

New snow and wind slabs in high Alpine regions.

New snow and wind slabs in high Alpine regions.

The fresh snow of the last few days as well as the wind slabs formed by the sometimes moderate wind can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain and on wind-loaded slopes. In particular on very steep slopes small to medium-sized dry avalanches are possible. The soft wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise.

Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on the smooth surface of an old snowpack. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack. At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. At low altitude only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.