Upper Passeier Valley

Increase in danger as a consequence of the strong wind. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Increase in danger as a consequence of the strong wind. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

As a consequence of a gathering strong northeasterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form from early morning over a wide area. The fresh wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. At elevated altitudes and in the regions exposed to the foehn wind the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater. Individual natural avalanches are not ruled out. Additionally avalanches can also be triggered 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. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

In the northeast up to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. In the south less snow fell. As a consequence of a gathering strong wind from northeasterly directions, extensive wind slabs will form on Friday. These will be deposited on soft layers. The snowpack will become increasingly prone to triggering. 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.

As a consequence of low temperatures, snowfall and the strong to storm force northeasterly wind, the snowpack can not consolidate on Saturday. Considerable avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area.