Lasörling Group

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of new snow and a storm force northwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed on Saturday especially in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The brittle wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. In regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Weakly bonded old snow: In isolated cases avalanches can be released in deep layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size, especially on steep shady slopes in high Alpine regions. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Saturday. The new snow and wind slabs are prone to triggering above the tree line. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers on wind-protected shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular above approximately 2400 m.

The weather effects will prevent a decrease in the avalanche danger. Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.