Deferegger Alps East

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of a storm force northerly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form on Saturday. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above approximately 2000 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Fresh wind slabs are to be avoided especially in steep terrain. In regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is slightly greater, caution is to be exercised in the regions of the south exposed to the foehn wind, including below the tree line. Additionally in very isolated cases avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. In some cases avalanches are medium-sized. Meticulous route selection is recommended.

On Saturday the wind will be storm force over a wide area. Some snow will fall in particular in the north and in the northeast. The wind will transport the fresh and old snow. The small quantity of fresh snow and the wind slabs to be found especially adjacent to riddgelines are lying on soft layers on steep shady slopes above the tree line, in particular in places that are protected from the wind. The old snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m.

Fresh wind slabs require caution. In the north and in the northeast the avalanche danger is higher.