Upper Passeier Valley

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Wet avalanches below approximately 2200 m.

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Wet avalanches below approximately 2200 m.

The wind slabs of the last few days can be released even by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. At elevated altitudes the likelihood of avalanches being released is greater. Dry avalanches can additionally in some places be released in near-surface layers in particular on steep sunny slopes, in particular above approximately 2500 m. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases. Wet avalanches are possible below approximately 2200 m. On extremely steep slopes loose snow avalanches are to be expected, in the event of prolonged bright spells especially.

5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Friday. As a consequence of the occasionally strong northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Saturday. These are prone to triggering in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. At elevated altitudes the snowpack is weaker. Faceted weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack in particular on sunny slopes, especially above approximately 2500 m. The rain will give rise on Friday to thorough wetting of the snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2200 m. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be reduced in some case. The surface of the snowpack will freeze very little. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to moistening of the snowpack below approximately 2200 m.

On Sunday the wind will be moderate to strong. The wind slabs remain prone to triggering at elevated altitudes. On sunny slopes the snowpack will soften during the day.