Border Graie Alps

Dry slab avalanches and dry loose snow avalanches are the main danger.

Dry slab avalanches and dry loose snow avalanches are the main danger.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, soft wind slabs will form in the course of the day. The cold fresh snow as well as the wind slabs that are forming above all adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls can be released naturally in particular on steep northwest, north and southeast facing slopes. The new snow and wind slabs of last week can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases above approximately 2100 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on wind-loaded slopes of all aspects and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Avalanches can be released in deeper layers also. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches serve as an alarm sign.

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell yesterday above approximately 1500 m. The new snow is very loosely bonded in all altitude zones. The soft wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack. Adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Faceted weak layers exist deeper in the snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. Field observations have shown the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.