Border Graie Alps

New snow and wind slabs at elevated altitudes. In particular, however, the danger of moist and wet avalanches will increase as the day progresses.

New snow and wind slabs at elevated altitudes. In particular, however, the danger of moist and wet avalanches will increase as the day progresses.

Towards its surface, the snowpack is unstable. Above approximately 2200 m: As a consequence of new snow and northeasterly wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last two days adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas. Avalanches can be released in near-surface layers and reach large size in particular on very steep shady slopes. In particular on very steep grassy slopes and on rocky slopes medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large wet avalanches are possible as the day progresses as the moisture increases. Naturally triggered avalanches and penetration of the old snow cover indicate the significant danger.

Over a wide area 40 to 60 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last two days above approximately 2000 m. Yesterday above approximately 2500 m numerous small and medium-sized avalanches were observed. Several occasionally large powder avalanches have been released at high altitude. A clear night: The surface of the snowpack has frozen to form a strong crust, this also applies at low and intermediate altitudes. Shady slopes as well as high altitudes: Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a hard crust. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to gradual moistening of the snowpack. This applies in particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes below approximately 2700 m, as well as on north facing slopes below approximately 2400 m. Below approximately 2500 m no snow is lying on south facing slopes. The snowpack is well consolidated and its surface has a melt-freeze crust. This applies especially in all aspects below approximately 2300 m.

The weather will be mild. A clear night will be followed by favourable conditions generally, but the danger of wet and gliding avalanches will increase later. As a consequence of highly fluctuating temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.