Avalanche forecast

Kaiser Mountains - Waidring Alps

LWD Tirol
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Avalanche danger

Above treeline
3 · Considerable
Below treeline
2 · Moderate
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Weakly bonded old snow and wet snow represent the main danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent weak layers

    • All elevations
  • Wet snow

    • All elevations
  • Wind slab

    • All elevations

Tendency

A sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will persist. Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate defensive route selection. As a consequence of rising temperatures, rain and the storm force northwesterly wind, the snowpack can not consolidate.

Avalanche Activity

Weakly bonded old snow and wet snow represent the main danger.

Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies in particular above the tree line, and below approximately 2600 m, in isolated cases also on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Avalanches can reach large size. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Over a wide area easily released wind slabs will form. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in all aspects. Avalanches can penetrate deep layers and reach large size. As a consequence of the rain more frequent small to medium-sized wet and gliding avalanches are possible below approximately 2000 m. As the snowfall level rises these avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent as the day progresses.

Snowpack Structure

Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, and below approximately 2600 m, in isolated cases also on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. 5 to 10 cm of snow will fall. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from northwesterly directions, further wind slabs will form. The mostly small wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes and generally at elevated altitudes. Up to 2000 m rain will fall from the afternoon.

Bulletin data: Avalanche Warning Service Tirol, avalanche.report (CC BY 4.0)

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