Border Pennine Alps

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Wind slabs have formed especially in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. These are mostly easy to recognise and to be assessed critically. The fresh snow and in particular the wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in particular on steep shady slopes. Small and medium-sized natural avalanches are possible. Large-grained weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads here.

Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on the smooth surface of an old snowpack. In particular in high Alpine regions snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. In all aspects less snow than usual is lying.

In some localities increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind.