Border Pennine Alps

Wind slabs above approximately 2400 m.

Wind slabs above approximately 2400 m.

The clearly visible wind slabs can still be released in particular on northwest to northeast to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above the tree line, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist deep in the snowpack in particular in shady places that are protected from the wind. Here avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack.

Below approximately 2200 m as well as very steep sunny slopes: As a consequence of rising temperatures and rain up to high altitudes the snowpack settled at the weekend. As a consequence of falling temperatures a crust formed on the surface during the last two days. The wind was strong to storm force in some localities. By Christmas Day wind slabs formed in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Above the tree line hard wind slabs formed. Individual weak layers exist in the snowpack on steep west, north and east facing slopes.