North and center of Aran

The new snow and wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects.

The new snow and wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released very easily in all aspects and above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain and in the vicinity of peaks. By the middle of the day further wind slabs will form adjacent to ridgelines on northeast, east and southeast facing slopes. In some cases the avalanches are medium-sized. In isolated cases avalanches can reach large size. The new snow can be released easily, or, in isolated cases, naturally in all aspects. Midday and afternoon: Small natural avalanches are to be expected in particular on steep sunny slopes. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for great caution and restraint.

The weather will be sunny at times. Less new snow than expected: Over a wide area 15 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen thus far above approximately 1500 m. The fresh snow and in particular the sometimes deep wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack in particular on shady slopes. There is more snow than usual. At intermediate altitudes there are 150 to 220 cm of snow, and even more in some localities.

Saturday: Rapid increase in danger of moist avalanches as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.