Border Graie Alps

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

In the regions exposed to the foehn wind sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep northeast, east and southeast facing slopes, and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above approximately 2400 m. Avalanches can in some cases be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases.

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. In all aspects less snow than usual is lying.