Tuxer Alps West

Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack are treacherous. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack are treacherous. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies in particular between approximately 1600 and 2500 m, in isolated cases also on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Avalanches can reach large size. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Over a wide area easily released wind slabs will form. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in all aspects. Avalanches can penetrate deep layers and reach large size. In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists.

Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, especially on west, north and east facing slopes between approximately 1600 and 2500 m, in isolated cases also on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate wind from northwesterly directions, wind slabs will form in the course of the day. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes and generally at elevated altitudes. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the quite favourable surface of an old snowpack on sunny slopes at low and intermediate altitudes.

A sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will persist. Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate defensive route selection. As a consequence of rising temperatures, rain up to approximately 2000 m and the strong northwesterly wind, the snowpack can not consolidate.