Ortler Range

As a consequence of snowfall and the strong to storm force wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form.

As a consequence of snowfall and the strong to storm force wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form.

Some fresh snow and very particularly the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force northwesterly wind represent the main danger. The fresh wind slabs are mostly rather small but prone to triggering. They can be released even by a single winter sport participant especially on steep shady slopes above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in places that are protected from the wind and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can in some places be released in deeper layers, even by a single winter sport participant. This applies on steep west, north and east facing slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can in some cases reach dangerously large size.

Less new snow than expected: Over a wide area 5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since yesterday. The wind will be strong to storm force. As a consequence of new snow and northwesterly wind, wind slabs will form in all aspects. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.

The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.