Border Graie Alps

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

The somewhat older wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. The fresh snow as well as the sometimes deep wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, in particular on north to east to southwest facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. On wind-loaded slopes and in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation natural avalanches are possible, but they can be large.

In some localities 15 to 20 cm of snow, and up to 30 cm in some localities, fell in the last three days. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on the smooth surface of an old snowpack. In particular in high Alpine regions snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes.