Stubai Alps Central

A sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

A sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the storm force northwesterly wind represent the main danger. Avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent. The avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line and below the tree line. Avalanches can additionally be released in the weakly bonded old snow also, especially on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as on wind-loaded slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. On extremely steep sunny slopes more frequent loose snow avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of slab avalanches being released will increase on very steep sunny slopes. In the regions with a lot of snow gliding avalanches and snow slides are possible. The current avalanche situation calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint.

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind was storm force over a wide area. The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the northwesterly wind will be deposited on soft layers. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on wind-protected shady slopes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.

The snowpack remains in some cases prone to triggering.