Border Graie Alps

The more recent wind slabs are to be assessed critically.

The more recent wind slabs are to be assessed critically.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, wind slabs formed, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The wind slabs can be released, especially by large additional loads, in particular on north, east and southeast facing slopes. Caution is to be exercised in particular along the border with France. Avalanches can in isolated cases be triggered in the old snowpack and reach quite a large size, in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.

Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas as well as in high Alpine regions snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack. Individual weak layers exist in the snowpack on shady slopes, especially on steep slopes above approximately 2600 m. The new snow of the last few days is lying on a crust below approximately 2800 m. In particular in shady places that are protected from the wind: Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow.