Tuxer Alps West

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

The fresh snow of the last few days and in particular the extensive wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force northwesterly wind can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on steep northwest, north and southeast facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. On steep, little used shady slopes and at elevated altitudes the likelihood of avalanches is higher. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes. Shady slopes are especially critical, in particular between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack and reach dangerously large size. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, especially on steep grassy slopes.

The sometimes storm force wind has transported a lot of snow. Avalanche prone wind slabs formed. This applies on steep northwest, north and southeast facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on wind-protected shady slopes and in high Alpine regions. As a consequence of rising temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise, in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.

The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.