Border Graie Alps

Fresh and older wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence and generally at intermediate and high altitudes.

Fresh and older wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence and generally at intermediate and high altitudes.

As a consequence of a strong wind from westerly directions, precarious wind slabs formed in the last two days. The more recent wind slabs are quite large and in some cases prone to triggering. The avalanche prone locations are to be found adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In particular on steep shady slopes the avalanches can be triggered in the old snow and reach large size in isolated cases. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches in some places. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and caution.

In the last few days easily released wind slabs formed at intermediate and high altitudes. The new snow of last week has bonded in particular on sunny slopes. Large-grained weak layers exist in the old snowpack on shady slopes. Some small and medium-sized dry slab avalanches have been released by people last week.