North and center of Aran

Backcountry touring calls for caution and restraint. Wind slabs and wet snow are to be assessed with care and prudence.

Backcountry touring calls for caution and restraint. Wind slabs and wet snow are to be assessed with care and prudence.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong southerly wind, extensive wind slabs formed adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. In some cases the avalanches are large and easily released. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes at intermediate and high altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and fresh avalanches indicate this situation. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. As a consequence of solar radiation moist snow slides and avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses, but they will be mostly small. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on sunny slopes and on shady slopes below approximately 2000 m. Individual gliding avalanches can also occur.

Monday: The weather will be sunny at times over a wide area. The sometimes moderate wind will transport the new snow. The surface of the snowpack will soften during the day. In some places wind slabs are lying on old snow containing large grains. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly.

Tuesday: Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.