Deferegger Alps East

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Fresh wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant. They are to be avoided in particular in steep terrain. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Avalanches can reach medium size. Avalanches can additionally in isolated cases be released in the old snowpack by a single winter sport participant, especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on very steep east and west facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Meticulous route selection is recommended.

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Tuesday. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed. These are lying on soft layers in particular on steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. On Wednesday the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on east and west facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to slight moistening of the snowpack in particular on sunny slopes.

The weather conditions facilitated a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation moist snow slides and avalanches are possible.