Venediger Group South

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution. The sometimes strong wind will transport the snow.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution. The sometimes strong wind will transport the snow.

Avalanches can be triggered in the old snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on steep southeast, south and southwest facing slopes above approximately 2600 m. Released avalanches and reports filed by observers confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially unfavourable. Such avalanche prone locations are rather rare and are difficult to recognise. The new snow and wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Avalanches can reach medium size. From origins in starting zones where no previous releases have taken place more gliding avalanches are possible, even large ones in isolated cases. This applies in particular below approximately 2600 m. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.

In some regions up to 15 cm of snow fell on Tuesday. 5 to 15 cm of snow will fall on Wednesday. The wind will be moderate to strong over a wide area. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on wind-protected shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies above approximately 2400 m. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places in particular on shady slopes. As a consequence of rising temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface, in particular on steep sunny slopes in all altitude zones.

The fresh and older wind slabs remain prone to triggering in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. More gliding avalanches are possible, in particular medium-sized ones.