Border Graie Alps

Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger.

Along the border with France 15 to 25 cm of snow, but less in some localities, has fallen since Monday. In the last few days the wind slabs have increased in size. The fresh snow and the wind slabs are lying on a crust below approximately 2300 m. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions, depending on the infuence of the wind. Field observations and artificially triggered avalanches have confirmed that the stability of the snowpack varies greatly within a small area. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas at elevated altitudes hardly any snow is lying. At low and intermediate altitudes from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in some places. The avalanche danger will not decrease for the time being.

Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in some places by individual winter sport participants in particular along the border with France. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and whumpfing sounds serve as an alarm indicating the danger, caution is to be exercised on very steep shady slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example above approximately 2100 m. Avalanches can penetrate deep layers and reach medium size. The fresh snow and the wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence. In the other regions the avalanches are less common.