Western Nonsberg Alps

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger, in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Mostly avalanches are rather small. 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.

As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes. Individual weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially on shady slopes. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations over a wide area. Only a little snow is lying.

Wind slabs require caution. Until Monday the weather will be cold. These weather conditions will prevent a rapid stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.