Border Graie Alps

Down to low altitudes snow has fallen. The fresh and older wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects and generally in areas close to the tree line.

Down to low altitudes snow has fallen. The fresh and older wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects and generally in areas close to the tree line.

In particular on steep slopes and on wind-loaded slopes slab avalanches are possible as a consequence of new snow and wind, especially, and at intermediate altitudes. The avalanche-prone wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. These can over a wide area be released easily and reach large size, in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, and in particular in areas close to the tree line. In particular on very steep shady slopes the avalanches can be released in deep layers of the snowpack and reach large size. Dry loose snow avalanches and slab avalanches are possible already in the early morning.

10 to 20 cm of snow has fallen since Friday above approximately 1500 m. Over a wide area new snow is lying on surface hoar. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Stability tests and snow profiles show the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack on steep shady slopes. Precarious weak layers exist in the snowpack on steep shady slopes. The avalanche-prone wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise.

Monday: The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information about the snowpack, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.