Wednesday 24.02.2021
Published23 02 2021, 17:00
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow

2000m

Wet snow

2000m

 

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated critically. Gliding avalanches and moist snow slides as the day progresses.
The moist fresh snow and in particular the extensive wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force southeasterly wind remain prone to triggering in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. The fresh wind slabs are in many cases deep but can in some cases be released easily especially at their margins. In isolated cases the avalanches are dangerously large. At the southern and eastern borders of Aran and at high altitude the avalanche situation is more precarious.

As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation more gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible from the early morning, even medium-sized ones.

Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.
Snowpack
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In particular from the border with Benasque via the border with Ribagorça to the border with Pallars 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Monday above approximately 2000 m. The southeasterly wind has transported the new snow significantly. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on old snow containing large grains. The wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Snow profiles and stability tests confirm the existence of a weak snowack in particular on wind-loaded slopes.

Low altitudes and sunny slopes: The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust and will soften during the day.

At low altitude from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in danger of dry avalanches on shady slopes. Gradual decrease in danger of moist avalanches in particular on sunny slopes.