Kaiser Mountains - Waidring Alps

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last few days above the tree line. This also applies in areas close to the tree line. Even single persons can release avalanches in many places, including medium-sized ones. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. As a consequence of solar radiation only isolated dry loose snow avalanches are possible. This applies in particular on extremely steep sunny slopes. In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, in particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes below approximately 2600 m. In isolated cases the gliding avalanches are quite large.

The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on soft layers. The new snow is lying on surface hoar in some places in areas close to the tree line. The new snow of last week is lying on a crust in all aspects below approximately 2600 m. The old snowpack will be stable over a wide area.

The fresh and older wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering.