North and center of Aran

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

The more recent wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases on very steep north and west facing slopes and generally above the tree line. They are lying on weak layers in particular on shady slopes. The avalanches are rather small. In the valleys bordering the Ribagorçana basin and the Pallaresa basin and at elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is level 2 (moderate). In other regions these avalanche prone locations are more rare and the danger is level 1 (low). In shady places that are protected from the wind: The snowpack is faceted and weak. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches as before.

At the southern and eastern borders of Aran up to 10 cm of snow fell. The southeasterly wind has transported the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to slight moistening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes. Above the tree line there are 50 to 70 cm of snow, and even more in some localities. At intermediate and high altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

The wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes.