Deferegger Alps East

Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution and restraint. Avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line, also on steep sunny slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. These avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. They are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. In addition the wind slabs of the last few days in particular adjacent to ridgelines are easily triggered. The prevalence of these avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required.

Over a wide area 5 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Saturday. The sometimes strong wind has transported a lot of snow. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above the tree line. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, in particular on shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line, also on steep sunny slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. These will become increasingly prone to triggering at elevated altitudes.

The snowpack remains prone to triggering. This applies in particular at elevated altitudes.