Deferegger Alps East

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

As a consequence of a strong wind, sometimes easily released wind slabs formed in the last few days. The clearly visible wind slabs are in some cases still prone to triggering in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects. They are to be bypassed as far as possible. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. At elevated altitudes such avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. Avalanches can reach medium size. In very isolated cases dry avalanches can also be triggered in the old snowpack, especially on very steep shady slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, this applies in particular in case of a large load, caution is to be exercised in particular in little used terrain, as well as in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow, especially in the north and in the northwest.

The strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow. The fresh and older wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. They are mostly rather small but in some cases prone to triggering. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak. This applies on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. The high temperatures on Friday gave rise to significant moistening of the snowpack. This applies on steep sunny slopes in all altitude zones, as well as in all aspects at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of low temperatures a crust formed on the surface.

On Monday as a consequence of new snow and strong wind there will be a gradual increase in the avalanche danger. This applies in particular on the Main Alpine Ridge and in Sand in Taufers.