Deferegger Alps East

Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution and restraint. Avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line, also on steep sunny slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. In addition the wind slabs of the last few days in particular adjacent to ridgelines are easily triggered. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. They are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. These avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required.

Over a wide area 10 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. As a consequence of the northwesterly wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Tuesday. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above the tree line. The sometimes new snow-covered wind slabs remain for the foreseeable future prone to triggering. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, in particular on shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line, also on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.

Down to low altitudes snow will fall on Wednesday over a wide area. The avalanche danger will increase during the day. The snowpack remains prone to triggering, in particular at elevated altitudes.