Upper Passeier Valley

The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the storm force wind can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain above the tree line. At elevated altitudes the likelihood of avalanches being released is greater. Avalanches can reach quite a large size, in the regions exposed to a lot of new snow especially. Individual natural avalanches are not ruled out, in particular on wind-loaded slopes at elevated altitudes. On extremely steep slopes more loose snow avalanches are to be expected, in the event of prolonged bright spells in particular. In addition in particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation, individual gliding avalanches are possible. Experience and restraint are required.

The snowpack will be in some cases prone to triggering. Over a wide area 20 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday. Some snow will fall on Friday in the southeast. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again on Friday. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers, in particular at elevated altitudes. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes, especially at elevated altitudes.

Saturday: The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering. Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day.