Tuxer Alps West

Wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

Wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

The fresh wind slabs are prone to triggering in all aspects. Caution is to be exercised in particular above approximately 2200 m, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can be released easily and reach medium size. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. There is a danger of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides. This applies on steep slopes below approximately 2400 m. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. This applies on very steep slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases.

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1000 m. The wind will be strong in some cases, in particular in the east on the Main Alpine Ridge. As a consequence of new snow and wind from northwesterly directions, sometimes large wind slabs formed. More recent wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular above approximately 2200 m.

As a consequence of rising temperatures the snowpack will settle during the next few days. Gradual decrease in danger of gliding avalanches as a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation.