Kitzbühel Alps Wildschönau

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh and older wind slabs can be released easily. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line, in isolated cases also in areas close to the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as adjacent to ridgelines. Such avalanche prone locations are easy to recognise. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) such avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. In some cases the avalanches in these loacations are medium-sized. 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. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.

Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. The wind will be strong in some regions. Fresh and older wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted and its surface has a crust that is barely capable of bearing a load. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations.

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of warming.