Sole, Pejo and Rabbi

Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated critically.

Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated critically.

In some places avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow and reach medium size in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west to north to east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2600 m. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible.

Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind, mostly small wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The clearly visible wind slabs are lying on weak layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard and its surface has a melt-freeze crust. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes. The snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes.

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.