Lasörling Group

Wind slabs require caution. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

Wind slabs require caution. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

The fresh and older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on west to north to east facing aspects. This also applies in isolated cases on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Avalanches can release deeper layers of the snowpack and reach medium size. Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow by a single winter sport participant. These avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.

Some snow will fall. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from northerly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes. Faceted weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially on shady slopes.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be assessed with care and prudence. The weather conditions will prevent a rapid stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.