Sole, Pejo and Rabbi

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow. These avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, caution is to be exercised in particular in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Avalanches can reach medium size. The extensive wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects. Avalanches can reach quite a large size especially in shady places that are protected from the wind. At high altitude and in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent.

As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs formed in the last three days in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes. Precarious weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially on shady slopes.

Until Wednesday the weather will be clear. The weather conditions will facilitate a slow stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be critically assessed.