Border Graie Alps

New snow and wind slabs require caution.

New snow and wind slabs require caution.

New snow to above 1000 m. The sometimes moderate wind will transport the new snow. The large wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant. This applies especially in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain in particular at intermediate and high altitudes. Avalanches can also penetrate deep layers and reach large size. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and caution.

Since Wednesday on steep shady slopes numerous medium-sized to large avalanches were released. The new snow and wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack above the tree line. As a consequence of the strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size. Faceted weak layers exist deeper in the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes.