Lechtal Alps East

Natural avalanches are still to be expected.

A very dangerous avalanche situation will persist.

Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the strong westerly wind are very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. Winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily. The avalanche prone locations are numerous. They are to be found also in steep terrain in areas close to the tree line, caution is to be exercised below the tree line. More natural avalanches are to be expected. These can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size, in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. Caution is to be exercised in particular in leeward starting zones that have retained the snow thus far. In the typical avalanche paths here avalanches can in very isolated cases reach very large size. Exposed transportation routes can be endangered. As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of natural avalanches being released will increase significantly.

Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday, this applies in particular as the day progresses. Up to intermediate altitudes rain will fall. The wind will be strong to storm force in some cases. The snowpack will be prone to triggering. Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. The various wind slabs have bonded insufficiently with each other and the old snowpack. Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes. The rain will give rise to softening of the snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes.

The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain very dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily. Natural avalanches are possible.