Border Graie Alps

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

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

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 1200 m. The wind will be moderate to strong over a wide area. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, where The sometimes deep wind slabs are lying on weak layers. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized and can be released even by a single winter sport participant. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small and medium-sized moist loose snow avalanches are possible, in particular in case of releases originating from steep sunny starting zones that have retained the snow thus far. Below approximately 2200 m from a snow sport perspective, insufficient snow is lying. Watch out for the numerous rocks hidden by the recent snow.

In particular at low and intermediate altitudes thus far only a little snow is lying. Towards its base, the snowpack consists of faceted crystals, especially on shady slopes. The sometimes moderate wind will transport the new snow. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs will become increasingly prone to triggering. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to increasing moistening of the snowpack in particular on sunny slopes at low and intermediate altitudes.