Border Graie Alps

Old wind slabs in particular on steep shady slopes. Weakly bonded old snow at intermediate and high altitudes.

Old wind slabs in particular on steep shady slopes. Weakly bonded old snow at intermediate and high altitudes.

The fresh snow of last week and in particular the wind slabs formed by the light to moderate wind can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases above approximately 2200 m. Artificially triggered avalanches and whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack confirm a treacherous avalanche situation on steep shady slopes. On very steep slopes the avalanches can be triggered in the various layers of new snow and reach large size in some cases. Avalanches can be released, even by small loads in isolated cases, in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

Adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls soft wind slabs formed. New snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack, in particular on steep, rather lightly snow-covered shady slopes. Sunshine and high temperatures gave rise to significant consolidation of the snowpack over a wide area in particular on sunny slopes below approximately 3000 m. Especially sunny slopes as well as low and intermediate altitudes: The upper section of the snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a crust that is strong in many cases.

The weather will be mild. The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.