Kaiser Mountains - Waidring Alps

Reports filed by observers and field observations confirm the complex avalanche situation. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Reports filed by observers and field observations confirm the complex avalanche situation. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies in particular above the tree line, and below approximately 2600 m, in isolated cases also on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Avalanches can reach large size. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. More frequent gliding avalanches are to be expected below approximately 2400 m. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.

Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, and below approximately 2600 m, in isolated cases also on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. In particular from the Silvretta via the Western Lechtal Alps to the Allgäu Alps 10 to 15 cm of snow will fall on Saturday. In the other regions less snow will fall. As a consequence of snowfall and the occasionally storm force westerly wind, the snow drift accumulations will increase in size at the weekend. The fresh and older wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. The rain gave rise to significant moistening of the snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of mild temperatures and partly cloudy skies the snowpack could not consolidate on Friday. As a consequence of falling temperatures and snowfall a crust will form on the surface on Saturday.

Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate defensive route selection.