Graie Alps

Down to low altitudes snow will fall over a wide area. The wind will be strong. Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Down to low altitudes snow will fall over a wide area. The wind will be strong. Wind slabs represent the main danger.

The sometimes strong wind will transport the fresh and old snow significantly. As a consequence of the strong northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form by the early morning. These will form in particular above approximately 2000 m. In particular intermediate and high altitudes as well as in places that are protected from the wind: Soft wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in areas close to the tree line. In addition the hard wind slabs of the last few days in pass areas in all aspects and generally at elevated altitudes are capable of being triggered now as before. This applies in particular in case of a large load. The older wind slabs will be covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Several medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large dry and moist avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming.

In some localities 5 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Thursday above approximately 1500 m. The strong wind will transport the fresh and old snow significantly. In particular in the vicinity of peaks snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Western Prealps and along the border with France: Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar.