Upper Passeier Valley

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Single winter sport participants can release avalanches. These can penetrate even deep layers and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep shady slopes above the tree line and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2600 m. These places are difficult to recognise. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is slightly greater. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size moderately. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and on steep shady slopes. On steep grassy slopes and at intermediate and high altitudes individual gliding avalanches are possible, but they will be mostly small.

5 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. Some snow will fall on Thursday. The wind will be strong to storm force over a wide area. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at elevated altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack especially on shady slopes. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.

The avalanche danger will persist. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.