Venediger Group South

Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

In some places avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach large size. The mostly small wind slabs of the last few days are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on very steep shady slopes, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas at elevated altitudes. As a consequence of warming mostly small gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible below approximately 2400 m.

Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on weak layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is not capable of bearing a load. This applies in particular in the south on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m.

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.