Nockberge South

Fresh wind slabs are to be avoided.

Fresh wind slabs are to be avoided.

Wind slabs are prone to triggering especially on west to north to east facing aspects. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on south facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. These can be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack. The avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size on west, north and east facing slopes. Very isolated natural avalanches are not entirely ruled out. Isolated whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. In the regions exposed to a lot of wind this applies at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small moist loose snow avalanches are possible.

15 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. The strong wind will transport the new snow. Over a wide area further wind slabs will form. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes.

Increase in danger of moist and wet avalanches as a consequence of warming.