Border Pennine Alps

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of snowfall and the occasionally storm force northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last three days. This applies in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind and in areas close to the tree line, and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The avalanche-prone wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. On wind-loaded slopes and in starting zones where no previous releases have taken place medium-sized and large dry and moist avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming.

In some regions over a wide area 40 to 80 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Monday. The sometimes storm force wind has transported a lot of snow. In particular in the vicinity of peaks snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes.