Lechtal Alps East

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches can also be triggered in near-ground layers.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches can also be triggered in near-ground layers.

The extensive wind slabs of Friday can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above the tree line. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Avalanches can also be triggered in near-ground layers and reach quite a large size. This applies in particular on very steep north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. On extremely steep sunny slopes small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation. Isolated gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes.

Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The fresh snow and in particular the extensive wind slabs formed by the strong northwesterly wind are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack especially on steep north and east facing slopes. Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack at high altitude.

In some regions increase in avalanche danger as the precipitation becomes more intense. Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall on Sunday. In particular along the border with Vorarlberg 30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The wind will be storm force in some cases.