Border Pennine Alps

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are not ruled out, in particular in case of releases originating from steep starting zones above approximately 2500 m. In the last few days sometimes easily released wind slabs formed at elevated altitudes. Single backcountry tourers can release avalanches, including medium-sized ones. In some places avalanches can also penetrate down to the ground and reach large size in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The current avalanche situation calls for caution and restraint.

The sleet gave rise to rapid settling of the snowpack below approximately 2300 m. As a consequence of sharply falling temperatures the snowpack will consolidate during the next few days. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Snow depths vary greatly at intermediate altitudes, depending on the infuence of the wind.

As a consequence of falling temperatures, the avalanche activity will gradually decrease.