Weißkugel Group

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

The fresh wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering. This applies in particular on shady slopes, also on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised in particular above approximately 2200 m, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can be released easily and reach medium size. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. As a consequence of warming loose snow avalanches are to be expected, but they will be mostly small. In addition there is a danger of gliding avalanches. This applies on steep slopes below approximately 2400 m. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases.

The wind was strong in some cases. As a consequence of new snow and wind from northerly directions, sometimes large wind slabs formed. More recent wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular above approximately 2200 m.

The weather conditions will foster a gradual settling of the snow drift accumulations. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of wet loose snow avalanches being released will increase for a while in particular on very steep sunny slopes.