Lechtal Alps East

Natural avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses.

As the day progresses a dangerous avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. Wet snow represents the main danger.

In the early morning as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation there will be a rapid increase in the danger of wet avalanches. Most and wet avalanches can in isolated cases be released by a single winter sport participant. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep slopes below approximately 2500 m. As the penetration by moisture increases the prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses. More frequent wet slab avalanches are to be expected in the afternoon. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2500 m. Especially here wet avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow and reach large size. This also applies in isolated cases in highly frequented off-piste terrain. In steep gullies the avalanches can reach areas without any snow cover. Individual avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2500 m. Such avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Especially transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are unfavourable.

During the night the weather was clear at times. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night was quite good at times. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to increasing and thorough wetting of the snowpack below approximately 3000 m. The high humditiy will give rise in the afternoon to a loss of strength within the snowpack also on steep shady slopes. West, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m: Towards its base, the snowpack consists of faceted crystals.

The surface of the snowpack will only just freeze and will soften quickly. As the day progresses as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation there will be an increase in the danger of wet avalanches.