Tuxer Alps West

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of a strong wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form on Thursday in particular at elevated altitudes. They are to be evaluated with care and prudence especially in steep terrain. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Additionally in very isolated cases avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. Caution is to be exercised in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

On Thursday the wind will be strong to storm force over a wide area. In the north and in the northeast up to 10 cm of snow will fall. The wind will transport the fresh and old snow. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers in particular on west to north to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. At low and intermediate altitudes less snow than usual is lying.

Fresh wind slabs require caution. As a consequence of falling temperatures and the strong northerly wind, the snow drift accumulations will increase in size during the next few days. In the regions exposed to snowfall this applies in particular.