Border Graie Alps

Caution is to be exercised on steep north, east and southeast facing slopes in particular in high Alpine regions.

Caution is to be exercised on steep north, east and southeast facing slopes in particular in high Alpine regions.

In particular on very steep slopes the avalanches can be triggered in the various wind slab layers and reach medium size. Older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases in particular on steep north, east and southeast facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.

The weather conditions will cause a gradual settling of the near-surface layers in particular at low and intermediate altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on shady slopes. As a consequence of rising temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface during the last few days. This applies in particular on sunny slopes.