North and center of Aran

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

More recent wind slabs can be released easily by a single winter sport participant on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 1800 m. Caution is to be exercised at their margins in particular. Sometimes the avalanches are medium-sized. Wind-loaded slopes where hard layers are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack are especially precarious. Also in places that are protected from the wind and shady slopes: The old snowpack is faceted and weak. This snow can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases on extremely steep northeast, north and northwest facing slopes. Here the avalanches are only shallow. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience and great restraint.

On Tuesday the wind was strong to storm force over a wide area. The southerly wind has transported the loosely bonded old snow. The fresh wind slabs are lying on weak layers on shady slopes. Released avalanches and stability tests confirm the existence of a weak snowack in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in terrain. In all regions less snow than usual is lying. At low altitude from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. At intermediate and high altitudes there are 40 to 60 cm of snow, but less in some localities. In high Alpine regions snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

Friday: The danger of dry avalanches will decrease gradually. Gradual increase in danger of moist snow slides as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.