Northern Lepontine Alps

The wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence at intermediate and high altitudes.

The wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence at intermediate and high altitudes.

As a consequence of new snow and northwesterly wind, further wind slabs formed in the last few days in places that are protected from the wind. The new snow and wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. Wind slabs are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. In particular on very steep shady slopes the avalanches can be released in the various wind slab layers and reach large size.

10 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Friday above approximately 2000 m. The wind was strong. The wind has transported the new snow significantly. The more recent wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on a crust in particular on sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m. Snow depths vary greatly at intermediate and high altitudes, depending on the infuence of the wind.