Graie Alps

Fresh wind slabs at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Moist loose snow avalanches are possible.

Fresh wind slabs at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Moist loose snow avalanches are possible.

As a consequence of snowfall and the occasionally moderate easterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed at the weekend, in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The fresh snow and in particular the mostly small wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases. Some medium-sized natural avalanches are possible. This applies in particular on very steep sunny slopes, as well as in steep rocky terrain. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. Watch out for the numerous rocks hidden by the recent snow.

15 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Saturday. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a hard crust, in particular on sunny slopes below approximately 2500 m, and at low altitude. Melt-freeze crusts exist in the old snowpack in particular at elevated altitudes. In all altitude zones only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to increasing moistening of the snowpack in particular on sunny slopes.