Border Graie Alps

The fresh wind slabs can be released easily.

The fresh wind slabs can be released easily.

The foehn wind has transported the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. In the last few days the wind slabs have increased in size. The somewhat older wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore barely recognisable. The wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. In the regions exposed to precipitation this applies in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Avalanches can in some cases be triggered in the old snowpack and reach quite a large size. In the regions exposed to the foehn wind the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Careful route selection and spacing between individuals are recommended.

Over a wide area 15 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last two days. The northwesterly wind has transported the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. Since Thursday, 8 January wind slabs formed in all aspects. Snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Large-grained weak layers exist in the old snowpack on shady slopes.

Until the afternoon the wind will be strong to storm force in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind.