Lechtal Alps East

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

As a consequence of sharply rising temperatures the snow drift accumulations will stabilise, especially at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. In particular on very steep sunny slopes moist loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming.

Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days above approximately 1000 m. The sometimes strong wind will transport the new snow. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects above the tree line. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular above approximately 2200 m. The old snowpack is wet, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

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

The fresh snow and in particular the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the sometimes strong northerly wind must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects above the tree line. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily, including medium-sized ones. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. In addition there is a danger of gliding avalanches. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m. Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in very isolated cases in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. This applies on very steep slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanches can reach large size.