Upper Passeier Valley

Fresh and older wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Fresh and older wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of the strong to storm force northwesterly wind, the snow drift accumulations will increase in size on Tuesday. In all aspects avalanche prone wind slabs will form. These can be released even by a single winter sport participant above the tree line. Slopes adjacent to ridgelines are especially unfavourable. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Additionally avalanches can also be released in deep layers. 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.

The strong wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers in all aspects. They are lying on surface hoar in some places, in particular on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the north. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.

Fresh wind slabs require caution. As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs will form on Wednesday. The snowpack remains in some cases prone to triggering.