Kitzbühel Alps Wildschönau

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Weakly bonded old snow above approximately 2200 m.

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Weakly bonded old snow above approximately 2200 m.

Single winter sport participants can release avalanches. These can penetrate even deep layers and reach medium size. This applies in particular adjacent to ridgelines in high Alpine regions. As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and on steep shady slopes. The prevalence of these avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Dry avalanches can additionally in some places be released in deeper layers by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m, especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Caution and restraint are advisable.

Some snow will fall over a wide area. The strong wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on soft layers above approximately 2200 m. The snowpack will be in most cases subject to considerable local variations. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. This applies in all aspects above approximately 2200 m, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes and at elevated altitudes.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution. The avalanche danger will persist.