Border Graie Alps

The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh snow of the last few days and in particular the wind slabs that have formed in the regions exposed to the foehn wind represent the main danger. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Avalanches can in some cases be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. Large-grained weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Weak layers near the ground can be released especially by large additional loads.

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.