Karawanks West

Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

Fresh wind slabs are prone to triggering. These can be released in the weakly bonded old snow, even by a single winter sport participant. Avalanches can reach medium size in isolated cases in shady places that are protected from the wind. The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on northwest to north to northeast facing aspects above approximately 1800 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, as well as at the base of rock walls. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow difficult to recognise. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1600 m. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate southerly wind, wind slabs will form. The fresh wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. They are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.

The snowpack will become increasingly prone to triggering.