Fassa Valley

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

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

The fresh wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent but are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Additionally avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.

In some regions up to 10 cm of snow has fallen since Thursday. In the south less snow fell. The strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. The small quantity of fresh snow as well as the wind slabs formed by the northwesterly wind are lying on soft layers in all aspects. In some places various wind slab layers are lying on surface hoar, in particular in shady places that are protected from the wind. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. Isolated whumpfing sounds indicate the existence of a weak snowack.

Some snow will fall in some regions. On Saturday as a consequence of new snow and stormy weather there will be an increase in the avalanche danger within the current danger level.