Tuxer Alps West

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

The fresh wind slabs can be released easily by a single winter sport participant on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can reach medium size especially in the regions with a lot of snow. The clearly visible wind slabs are to be avoided. Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in some places by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Avalanches can reach medium size. In very isolated cases avalanches can also penetrate deep layers. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep north facing slopes above approximately 2800 m. Especially in the more southerly regions along the main Alpine ridge and in glaciated terrain.

As a consequence of a strengthening southerly foehn wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed since Monday in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. During the course of the night these will increase in size once again. The wind slabs are lying on soft layers especially on west, north and east facing slopes. In some places wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak. This applies especially on west, north and east facing slopes at elevated altitudes, in particular in shady places that are protected from the wind.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.