Kitzbühel Alps Glemmtal

AVOID wind-loaded areas above the timberline

AVOID wind-loaded areas above the timberline

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is LOW, and directly a function of wind impact. A medium-sized slab can be triggered even by minimum additional loading in steep terrain. Danger zones occur near to ridgelines, in high alpine regions also behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, increasingly on W/S/SE facing slopes and in steep gullies and bowls.

The huge amounts of cold fresh snow over the last few days were able to settle on Sunday in the un-windy and intermittently sunny weather. Previously, on Saturday at high altitudes, strong-to-stormy NW winds transported the snow widespread, depositing new snowdrift accumulations in gullies and on wind-protected slopes. The fracture point for slab avalanches lies at the very cold, loose blanketed snow. Then there are also weak layers inside the old snowpack near melt-freeze crusts and the depth hoar in the fundament.

On Tuesday, adequate visibility, some sunshine. Temperatures will rise somewhat. At 2000 m. -3 degrees; at 3000 m: -9 degrees. Winds will remain mostly light.

On Wednesday, sunny, light wind, mild temperatures. Mostly favourable conditions, giving due consideration to the local danger zones.