Border Pennine Alps

Old wind slabs above approximately 2000 m.

Old wind slabs above approximately 2000 m.

The somewhat older wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. These are to be found in particular on north, east and southeast facing slopes and generally in the high Alpine regions. Wind slabs can as before be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Several small and medium-sized dry avalanches are possible.

Weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. In the northwest moderate northwesterly wind. At high altitudes and in high Alpine regions the wind slabs will increase in size additionally.