Fresh wind slabs require caution. Weakly bonded old snow at elevated altitudes.
The wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in west to north to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can reach medium size. 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.
Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size, in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as in gullies and bowls. Steep, glaciated terrain must also be critically assessed.
Only isolated gliding avalanches are possible.
The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
A little snow is lying. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In the last few days the wind was moderate to strong. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers especially on steep shady slopes. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. Isolated whumpfing sounds and snow profiles show the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.
Tendency
Wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
The wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. 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.
The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In the last few days the wind was moderate to strong. The fresh wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack especially on steep shady slopes.
Tendency
Wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger will prevail.
Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released, but they will be small in most cases. This applies especially on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
From a snow sport perspective, insufficient snow is lying.
