Border Graie Alps

The fresh wind slabs are to be assessed critically.

The fresh wind slabs are to be assessed critically.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, wind slabs formed since Friday. This applies especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. In regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. The new snow and wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant above approximately 2200 m. This applies in particular on steep slopes, and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Avalanches can also be triggered in the old snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases, in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.

Wind slabs have formed in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas as well as in high Alpine regions snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Individual weak layers exist in the snowpack on shady slopes, especially on steep slopes above approximately 2400 m.