As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from northerly directions, mostly small wind slabs formed since Monday at elevated altitudes. The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in steep terrain. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In very isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the old snow and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
Since Monday the wind has been strong to storm force over a wide area. Some snow will fall. The wind has transported the fresh and old snow. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. The old snowpack will be generally well bonded. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. On sunny slopes below approximately 2200 m only a little snow is lying.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2400m
A widespread favourable avalanche situation will prevail. Fresh wind slabs require caution.
As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind, mostly small wind slabs formed since Monday at elevated altitudes. The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in steep terrain. In very isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the old snow and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The snowpack is well consolidated. Field observations and stability tests have confirmed a widespread favourable avalanche situation. Since Monday the wind has been strong to storm force over a wide area. The wind has transported the loosely bonded old snow. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Over a wide area less snow than usual is lying.
Tendency
A widespread favourable avalanche situation will prevail. Fresh wind slabs require caution.
