Border Graie Alps

The fresh snow and the deep wind slabs can be released easily.

The fresh snow and the deep wind slabs can be released easily.

The fresh snow and the sometimes deep wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, at intermediate and high altitudes. As a consequence of new snow and wind the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation and on wind-loaded slopes the wind slabs are larger. On steep west, north and east facing slopes the avalanches can be triggered in the old snow and reach large size in isolated cases. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication. At low and intermediate altitudes the avalanches can release the moist old snow as well. The sleet will give rise from midday to rapid moistening of the snowpack below approximately 1500 m. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of moist and wet avalanches being released will increase in particular on steep slopes at low altitude.

Over a wide area 25 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Monday above approximately 1500 m. In some regions 30 cm of snow will fall today. As a consequence of the sometimes moderate wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally as the day progresses. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation and on wind-loaded slopes the wind slabs are larger. The sleet will give rise from midday to rapid moistening of the snowpack below approximately 1500 m.