Sesvenna Group South

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

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

As a consequence of a gathering storm force wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form at elevated altitudes. The fresh wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above approximately 2200 m, in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Additionally avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for careful route selection.

Some snow will fall on Saturday. As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes storm force wind from northeasterly directions, further wind slabs will form. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. These are mostly small but in some cases prone to triggering. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. Field observations confirm that the stability of the snowpack varies greatly within a small area.

As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate on Sunday. The snowpack remains prone to triggering in some places.