Deferegger Alps East

The off-piste conditions are precarious.

The off-piste conditions are precarious.

New snow and wind slabs can in many places be released, even by a single winter sport participant. These avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes of all aspects and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. Caution is to be exercised also in areas close to the tree line as well as below the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the wind slabs are larger. Isolated large avalanches are possible here. Additionally avalanches can also penetrate deep layers, in particular in shady places that are protected from the wind, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. In addition individual gliding avalanches are possible.

A lot of snow has fallen since Thursday over a wide area, in particular in the north. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. In some regions up to 30 cm of snow will fall on Saturday. In the south less snow will fall. As a consequence of the stormy weather the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Saturday. The snowpack will become increasingly unstable. Also slopes close to the tree line are unfavourable. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack, especially on steep slopes above the tree line. In shady places that are protected from the wind the snowpack is weaker. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the existence of a weak snowack.

Sunday: Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day. The off-piste conditions remain precarious. The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering.