Border Pennine Alps

New snow and wind slabs: Slab avalanches are the main danger.

New snow and wind slabs: Slab avalanches are the main danger.

The southeasterly wind has transported the new snow. In particular in the vicinity of peaks and in gullies and bowls small and medium-sized slab avalanches are possible. Additionally in some places avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack and reach quite a large size. Avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant or triggered naturally. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. The wind slabs are to be avoided in particular in steep terrain. Careful route selection and spacing between individuals are recommended.

Monday: Down to low altitudes snow has fallen in some regions. The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Hard wind slabs have formed in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and generally at elevated altitudes, in the regions exposed to a lot of wind especially. The soft wind slabs are to be found in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, especially at transitions into gullies and bowls at intermediate altitudes.

The avalanche danger will persist.