Carnic Alps Lesachtal

Afternoon: The avalanche danger is within the uppermost range of danger level 3 (considerable). A precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

Afternoon: The avalanche danger is within the uppermost range of danger level 3 (considerable). A precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

As the day progresses as a consequence of new snow and wind there will be an increase in the avalanche danger. The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are forming during the snowfall will be deposited on a weakly bonded old snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. This also applies in isolated cases on south facing slopes at elevated altitudes. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow. This applies even in case of a small load. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. With the onset of the snowfall, the natural avalanche activity will increase. The avalanche prone locations are widespread and are barely recognisable. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. Natural avalanches and whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. The current avalanche situation calls for caution and restraint.

Up to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Saturday. 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. As a consequence of a gusty wind from southerly directions, further wind slabs will form. These are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack is faceted and weak. This applies especially in shady places that are protected from the wind. The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Further increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind.