Pfitsch

The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow at elevated altitudes.

The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow at elevated altitudes.

The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the strong wind can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain above the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. At elevated altitudes the likelihood of avalanches being released is greater. Natural avalanches are possible. Additionally avalanches can also release deeper layers of the snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases, especially on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2600 m. On extremely steep slopes more loose snow avalanches are to be expected, even medium-sized ones. In addition in particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation, gliding avalanches are possible, especially on steep grassy slopes at intermediate and high altitudes. Caution and restraint are required.

The snowpack will be in some cases prone to triggering. Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Wednesday. In some regions 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Friday. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again on Friday. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers, in particular at elevated altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack on very steep west, north and east facing slopes, especially above approximately 2600 m on the Main Alpine Ridge.

Saturday: The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering. Experience and restraint are required.