Graie Alps

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

In particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed. They are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on very steep shady slopes at intermediate and high altitudes. Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are easy to recognise and to be assessed critically. Avalanches can in some places be released, in particular by large loads and reach medium size. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. The numerous rocks hidden by the recent snow are the main danger. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.

The wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. Large-grained weak layers exist in the old snowpack on shady slopes. Below approximately 2000 m less snow than usual is lying.