Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
The fresh wind slabs can be released easily by a single winter sport participant.
The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on southwest to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line and on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Mostly avalanches are small. In particular in shady places that are protected from the wind they can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size in some cases. Caution is to be exercised in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as in gullies and bowls. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger.
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.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
Some snow fell in the last few days. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size moderately.
The fresh wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. The old snowpack is faceted. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
Tendency
Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
The wind slabs represent the main danger.
In all aspects precarious wind slabs formed. This applies especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are rather rare and are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. The wind slabs can be released easily in some cases above approximately 2000 m. Caution is to be exercised at their margins in particular. In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow. In very isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized. 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.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
Little snow has fallen in particular in the north and in the west. The avalanche-prone wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Over a wide area a little snow is lying.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist. Sunday: The wind will be moderate to strong over a wide area.
Danger level
Wind slabs - Very isolated avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly avalanches are only small. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
The avalanche-prone wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Over a wide area a little snow is lying.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist. Sunday: The wind will be moderate to strong over a wide area.
