Tuxer Alps West

Released avalanches and stability tests confirm a precarious avalanche situation.

Released avalanches and stability tests confirm a precarious avalanche situation.

Avalanches can over a wide area be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on wind-protected west, north and east facing slopes and adjacent to ridgelines, also in shady places that are protected from the wind in areas close to the tree line, as well as below the tree line. Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack are difficult to recognise. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint. At low and intermediate altitudes and on steep grassy slopes numerous gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are to be expected, in particular medium-sized ones. On extremely steep sunny slopes moist and wet avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation.

The old snowpack is faceted and weak. The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west to north to east facing aspects, in particular in places that are protected from the wind in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line. The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are lying on surface hoar in particular on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line. Artificially triggered avalanches and stability tests confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.

The snowpack remains prone to triggering on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the north. On Monday as a consequence of the snowfall there will be an increase in the avalanche danger.