Upper Passeier Valley

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west to north to east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2600 m. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Wind slabs are mostly small and can only be released in isolated cases. This applies in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. They are easy to recognise. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible.

Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on weak layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard and its surface has a melt-freeze crust. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes. The snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes.

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.