Lechtal Alps East

Significant warming: Increase in danger of wet avalanches. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Significant warming: Increase in danger of wet avalanches. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Mostly small wet snow slides and avalanches are possible in the late morning. These avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes of all aspects below approximately 2200 m. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of wet snow slides and avalanches being released will increase gradually also at high altitude. This applies especially on very steep east, south and west facing slopes. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in some places by individual winter sport participants. This applies especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, and on very steep east and west facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of warming the prevalence and size of these avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. In addition the wind slabs of the last few days are capable of being triggered in very isolated cases still. This applies on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes, and adjacent to ridgelines. Backcountry tours, off-piste skiing and ascents to alpine cabins should be concluded early.

The surface of the snowpack will cool hardly at all during the overcast night. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to rapid moistening of the snowpack. The snowpack will become increasingly prone to triggering. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on east and west facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. The weather conditions will bring about a weakening of the weak layers as the day progresses. The wind slabs of the last few days have bonded quite well with the old snowpack. They can only be released in isolated cases.

Tuesday: Wind and new snow. Fresh wind slabs require caution.