Border Pennine Alps

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Steep slopes and places that are protected from the wind: Fresh wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Steep slopes and places that are protected from the wind: Fresh wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of snowfall and the occasionally strong wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed on Wednesday, in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The fresh snow and in particular the mostly small wind slabs can be released easily, or, in isolated cases naturally above the tree line. Additionally in some places avalanches can be released in the old snowpack and reach medium size, especially on very steep shady slopes in little used terrain. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

5 to 15 cm of snow, but less in some localities, has fallen since Tuesday above approximately 1700 m. As a consequence of snowfall and the occasionally strong wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed on Wednesday, especially above approximately 2200 m. Several mostly small slab avalanches have been released, in particular between approximately 2300 and 2800 m along the border with Switzerland. High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: Snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. In places that are protected from the wind: Towards its surface, the snowpack is fairly homogeneous; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak, in particular on steep east, north and northwest facing slopes,.