Border Graie Alps

Wind slabs at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

Wind slabs at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

The older wind slabs can as before be released, mostly by large loads and reach medium size. This applies in particular on very steep slopes, and adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas. Even a small avalanche can sweep people along and give rise to falls. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack and reach medium size in particular on steep shady slopes.

The spring-like weather conditions gave rise to increasing consolidation of the snowpack in particular at low and intermediate altitudes. It is largely stable and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases, in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2200 m. In shady places that are protected from the wind intermediate and high altitudes: Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted.