Rieserferner Mountains

Above the tree line a high avalanche danger will prevail. Natural avalanches are to be expected.

Above the tree line a high avalanche danger will prevail. Natural avalanches are to be expected.

From starting zones at higher altitudes and on wind-loaded slopes more frequent medium-sized and large natural avalanches are to be expected as the snowfall becomes more intense. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain. The new snow and wind slabs can be released very easily in all aspects, this applies even in case of a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are widespread and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Caution is to be exercised also in areas close to the tree line, as well as below the tree line. Additionally avalanches can also penetrate deep layers. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain above the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. In addition in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation, an increasing number of medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2000 m.

The snowpack will be unstable over a wide area. Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. The large quantity of fresh snow and the sometimes large wind slabs formed during the snowfall are lying on soft layers in all aspects. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack, especially on steep slopes above the tree line. In shady places that are protected from the wind the snowpack is weaker. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the existence of a weak snowack. Over a wide area 30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday. As a consequence of the stormy weather the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Saturday.

The off-piste conditions remain precarious. The current avalanche situation calls for great restraint.