Border Pennine Alps

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Since Saturday the wind has been moderate to strong. In gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain the wind slabs have increased in size. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. They can be released by a single winter sport participant. The sometimes large wind slabs of the last few days must be evaluated with care and prudence.

In particular at elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. Individual weak layers exist in the snowpack on wind-loaded slopes. Backcountry touring calls for careful route selection.