Lechtal Alps East

Natural avalanches are to be expected.

A very dangerous avalanche situation will persist.

The new snow and wind slabs 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. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. As a consequence of new snow and wind natural avalanches are to be expected during the course of the night. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. This applies 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. Avalanches can in very isolated cases reach very large size. Exposed transportation routes can be endangered occasionally. With the end of the snowfall, the natural avalanche activity will gradually decrease.

Over a wide area 15 to 30 cm of snow will fall until late morning. The wind will be strong 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. Released avalanches and reports filed by observers have confirmed poor snowpack stability.

Some snow will fall in some regions. As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form on Saturday. 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.