Graie Alps

The fresh snow and the wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh snow and the wind slabs represent the main danger.

In particular on steep slopes and adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large slab avalanches are possible as a consequence of the moderate southerly wind. The avalanche-prone wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases. The wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore barely recognisable. In particular on very steep shady slopes the avalanches can be released in deep layers of the snowpack and reach large size.

5 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell yesterday in all altitude zones. The moderate wind has transported the new snow. The fresh wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack on steep shady slopes.