Tuxer Alps West

Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack necessitate caution.

Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack necessitate caution.

The fresh and older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on west to north to east facing aspects. This also applies in isolated cases on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised in particular on near-ridge slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanches can release deeper layers of the snowpack and reach medium size. Avalanches can additionally in some places be released in the weakly bonded old snow. These avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example.

As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from northerly directions, mostly small wind slabs will form in particular on the Main Alpine Ridge. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular above approximately 2400 m.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering. The weather conditions will prevent a rapid stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.