Border Graie Alps

New snow and wind slabs along the border with France.

New snow and wind slabs along the border with France.

As a consequence of snowfall and the strong wind, a treacherous avalanche situation developed during the last two days. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and stability tests confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. The wind slabs can be released easily. or in isolated cases naturally, on steep northeast, southeast and southwest facing slopes above approximately 2100 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. Slight increase in danger of dry and moist avalanches as a consequence of warming, in particular on rocky sunny slopes, as well as at the base of rock walls.

In particular along the border with France 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Sunday above approximately 1800 m. The new snow is lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak. The sometimes strong wind has transported a lot of snow. Snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

The weather conditions will facilitate a slow strengthening of the snow drift accumulations.