Kitzbühel Alps Wildschönau

For those venturing off piste a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

For those venturing off piste a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

The large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are forming in all aspects can be released easily above the tree line. Avalanches can be triggered in near-surface layers and reach medium size. Additionally in isolated cases avalanches can penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack, especially on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.

30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. Up to 20 cm of snow will fall in the next few hours. The wind will be strong. The wind will transport the new snow significantly. Further wind slabs will form. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers above the tree line, especially on northwest, north and northeast facing slopes. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes.

Avalanches can as before be released easily. Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day.