Reisseck Group

Wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack.

Wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack.

The somewhat older wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering. These can be released in the weakly bonded old snow by a single winter sport participant. In steep gullies in particular avalanches can reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2400 m and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Such avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. In isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

The wind slabs are mostly rather small but prone to triggering. They are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.

The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain at elevated altitudes. Wind slabs are to be avoided.