Tuxer Alps West

Weakly bonded old snow. Fresh wind slabs.

Weakly bonded old snow. Fresh wind slabs.

Avalanches can in some places be released in the weakly bonded old snow, in particular by large additional loads. This applies especially on very steep shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m in little used terrain. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also adjacent to ridgelines above approximately 2600 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, as well as in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. In addition the fresh wind slabs of the last few days at elevated altitudes are prone to triggering in some cases. They can be released by a single winter sport participant especially on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent, in particular adjacent to ridgelines. Wind slabs are easy to recognise. They are to be avoided as far as possible.

In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m, but in isolated cases also in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow adjacent to ridgelines above approximately 2600 m. Along the border with Switzerland and in the Schober Mountains the snowpack is more prone to triggering. As a consequence of the occasionally strong wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed. These are poorly bonded with the old snowpack especially on wind-protected shady slopes and in high Alpine regions. They are mostly small.

The weather conditions will give rise to gradual consolidation of the snowpack. Dry avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack and reach medium size.