Sole, Pejo and Rabbi

Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of a storm force wind, extensive wind slabs formed on Thursday in all aspects. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain above the tree line and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Even single persons can release avalanches easily, including medium-sized ones. In very isolated cases dry avalanches can also be triggered in the old snowpack, especially on very steep shady slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, this applies in particular in case of a large load. In particular on extremely steep sunny slopes small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

The storm force wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. The fresh wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes and generally at elevated altitudes. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals, especially on shady slopes. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.