Tuxer Alps West

Wind slabs require caution, especially above the tree line, as well as in areas close to the tree line.

Wind slabs require caution, especially above the tree line, as well as in areas close to the tree line.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong northeasterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last few days over a wide area. As a consequence of the occasionally strong easterly wind, the snow drift accumulations will increase in size on Monday. The fresh and older wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. The wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Caution is to be exercised, including in areas close to the tree line. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Additionally avalanches can also be triggered in deep layers. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

Over a wide area 30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Friday. As a consequence of a strong wind from northeasterly directions, extensive wind slabs formed in the last few days. These will be deposited on soft layers. The snowpack remains prone to triggering especially adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. Stability tests and field observations confirm that the stability of the snowpack varies greatly within a small area.

Above the tree line a considerable avalanche danger will persist.