Carnic Alps Lesachtal

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

The wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.

From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In the last few days the wind was moderate to strong. The fresh wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack especially on steep shady slopes.

Wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes.