North and center of Aran

Fresh wind slabs at high altitude. Dry and moist snow slides as the day progresses.

Fresh wind slabs at high altitude. Dry and moist snow slides as the day progresses.

The warm fresh snow and in particular the wind slabs that are forming during the snowfall will become increasingly prone to triggering in particular on very steep shady slopes above the tree line. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong southwesterly wind, sometimes easily released wind slabs will form in the course of the day in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The wind slabs are mostly small but prone to triggering. In particular in the valleys of Molières and Conangles they can be released easily and reach medium size. All aspects steep terrain that is interspersed with rocks: As a consequence of the new snow more frequent loose snow slides are to be expected as the day progresses, but they will be mostly small. In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists. Backcountry touring calls for defensive route selection. The wind slabs are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility.

The new snow of the last few days has bonded in all aspects. This snow has bonded quite well with the old snowpack. Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Sunday above approximately 2000 m. The southwesterly wind will transport the new snow significantly. These weather conditions will cause a rapid rise in the danger of dry avalanches in particular on wind-loaded slopes. In the course of the day in some localities danger level 3 (considerable) will be reached in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation. In particular at intermediate and high altitudes there is still a very large amount of snow. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the high Alpine regions, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility.

Sunday: As a consequence of new snow and a strong northwesterly wind, further wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines on east and south facing slopes. Gradual increase in danger of moist avalanches as the snowfall level rises.