Border Pennine Alps

Wind slabs at elevated altitudes. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls.

Wind slabs at elevated altitudes. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls.

The new snow and wind slabs of the last two days are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized but can be released also by a single winter sport participant. The numerous rocks hidden by the recent snow are the main danger.

15 to 30 cm of snow has fallen since Tuesday above approximately 1500 m. The old snowpack is faceted and weak. The new snow and wind slabs of Tuesday are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on shady slopes at intermediate and high altitudes. This snow is bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. At high altitudes and in high Alpine regions snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Below approximately 2000 m from a snow sport perspective, insufficient snow is lying.

The avalanche danger will persist.