Pollein and Saint-Marcel

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

Some new snow at low altitude. In some localities strong wind at low altitude. As a consequence of sleet and the strong wind, a sometimes critical avalanche situation will develop in the course of the day. Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are likely, also in case of releases originating from steep starting zones at high altitude. Avalanches can reach valley bottoms and in isolated cases endanger exposed transportation routes. As a consequence of new snow and wind from southwesterly directions, sometimes deep wind slabs will form. Above the tree line the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant. The conditions are precarious for ski touring, freeriding and snowshoe hiking outside marked and open pistes.

Thus far the wind has been strong to storm force in some localities over a wide area. In particular at elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly at elevated altitudes, depending on the infuence of the wind. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a hard crust. In its middle, the snowpack is fairly homogeneous. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Especially on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2000 m only a little snow is lying.

Wind and new snow: The avalanche danger will persist.