Karwendel Mountains West

Significant increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the new snow. Weakly bonded old snow above approximately 2400 m.

Significant increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the new snow. Weakly bonded old snow above approximately 2400 m.

As a consequence of snowfall and the strong to storm force northwesterly wind, a critical avalanche situation will develop. The fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are forming over a wide area can be released easily or naturally above the tree line. Avalanches can be triggered in the old snowpack and reach large size. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes of all aspects above approximately 2400 m. The off-piste conditions are critical. Gliding avalanches can also occur. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation this applies in particular on very steep grassy slopes.

Over a wide area 40 to 60 cm of snow will fall in the next few hours. The new snow and wind slabs are prone to triggering above the tree line. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers on wind-protected shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular above approximately 2400 m. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and released avalanches confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.

Outside marked and open pistes a critical avalanche situation will persist. As a consequence of new snow and strong wind there will be an additional increase in the avalanche danger.