Border Graie Alps

As a consequence of new snow and wind a dangerous avalanche situation will persist in some regions.

As a consequence of new snow and wind a dangerous avalanche situation will persist in some regions.

As a consequence of snowfall and the occasionally storm force northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. This applies in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind above the tree line, and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The avalanche-prone wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. Along the border with France the avalanche prone locations are more widespread and the danger is level 4 (high). On wind-loaded slopes and in starting zones where no previous releases have taken place individual large and, in isolated cases, very large powder avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming.

In some regions over a wide area 60 to 100 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Monday. Over a wide area 15 to 20 cm of snow fell yesterday in all altitude zones. The sometimes storm force wind has transported a lot of snow. In particular in the vicinity of peaks snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. In some places various wind slab layers are lying on surface hoar. Performed ECTs and field observations have confirmed the existence of a weak snowack.

With the easing of the wind, the natural avalanche activity will gradually decrease.