Tuxer Alps West

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong southerly wind, small wind slabs will form adjacent to ridgelines. This applies in particular in the regions that are exposed to the foehn wind. Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls above approximately 2200 m. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls. Avalanches can in very isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong southerly foehn wind, wind slabs will form in the course of the day in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. On sunny slopes at low and intermediate altitudes hardly any snow is lying.

As a consequence of new snow and a storm force southerly foehn wind, further wind slabs will form. Fresh wind slabs are only small but in some cases prone to triggering.