Graie Alps

Wind slabs at intermediate and high altitudes.

Wind slabs at intermediate and high altitudes.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, wind slabs formed in the last few days. These have formed in particular in the vicinity of peaks. The wind slabs can be released, especially by large additional loads,. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain at intermediate and high altitudes and at transitions into gullies and bowls. As a consequence of the solar radiation, the likelihood of dry and wet avalanches being released will increase a little in particular on rocky sunny slopes.

The fresh snow of last week and the wind slabs are lying on top of a quite favourable old snowpack. The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust and will soften later than the day before. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to moistening of the snowpack. In particular on sunny slopes as well as at low altitude from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.