Ortler Range

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

As a consequence of a strong wind, easily released wind slabs will form in all aspects. These are to be bypassed as far as possible. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain above the tree line and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can in very isolated cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size in isolated cases. Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow, even by small loads in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line. They are rather rare but are difficult to recognise. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. In particular on extremely steep sunny slopes small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow has fallen. The storm force wind will transport the fresh and old snow significantly. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes and generally at elevated altitudes. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes.

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.