Ankogel-Hochalm Group

Wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force wind, extensive wind slabs will form in all aspects. These can be released easily. or in isolated cases naturally, above the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Additionally in isolated cases avalanches can penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, and on south facing slopes at elevated altitudes. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.

10 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the new snow significantly. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. The old snowpack will be weakly bonded in some places, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, and on south facing slopes at elevated altitudes.

The avalanche danger will persist. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.