Samnaun Mountains

Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in the old snowpack. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in the old snowpack. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in isolated cases by winter sport participants in particular in little used terrain. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on extremely steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Avalanches can reach medium size. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind, clearly visible wind slabs formed in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls. On extremely steep sunny slopes individual loose snow slides are possible as a consequence of solar radiation.

In some regions 5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind was strong in some cases. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack especially on west, north and east facing slopes. These can only be released in isolated cases. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to moistening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes. At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

The weather conditions will facilitate a strengthening of the snow drift accumulations. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.