Pollein and Saint-Marcel

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind, large surface-area wind slabs formed in the last few days in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. They can as before be released, even by a single winter sport participant, caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Above the tree line these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate a sometimes unfavourable avalanche situation on wind-loaded slopes. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of moist avalanches being released will increase gradually in particular on extremely steep sunny slopes below approximately 2900 m.

15 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days above approximately 2000 m. As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force wind from northerly directions, deep wind slabs formed in the last two days. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2200 m, depending on the infuence of the wind. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas above approximately 2200 m hardly any snow is lying. Shady slopes: The snowpack consists of faceted crystals.

As a consequence of rising temperatures and solar radiation and the light to moderate wind, the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days. The danger of moist avalanches will increase a little during the day.