Border Pennine Alps

In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are especially critical.

The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes. The more recent wind slabs have formed in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and generally in the high Alpine regions. At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Especially in the vicinity of peaks as well as in all altitude zones hardly any snow is lying. In particular steep slopes in places that are protected from the wind: Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow.

In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are especially critical.

The southeasterly wind has transported the new snow. Wind slabs can be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size, in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Wind slabs are to be assessed critically. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution and restraint. Avalanches can be released in the old snowpack in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes. These can in isolated cases reach quite a large size. This applies in particular in case of a large load.