Upper Passeier Valley

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

The new snow and wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas, as well as in gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Avalanches can reach medium size. Avalanches can additionally in some places be released in the old snowpack by a single winter sport participant, especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on very steep east and west facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Backcountry touring calls for careful route selection.

Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Tuesday, in particular in the eastern part of the main Alpine ridge and in the Ortler Range. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. As a consequence of the strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Wednesday. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on east and west facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to slight moistening of the snowpack in particular on sunny slopes.

The weather conditions facilitated a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet snow slides and avalanches are to be expected.