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 new snow and wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, above the tree line. Very isolated natural avalanches are possible, especially in the Ultental and in the Ortler Range. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in isolated cases by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected. In particular in the regions with a lot of snow more frequent medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible, especially below approximately 2600 m.

Over a wide area 15 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Tuesday. As a consequence of new snow and wind the wind slabs have increased in size appreciably, in particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. They are prone to triggering. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist deeper in the snowpack in particular on steep east, north and west facing slopes.

The conditions will facilitate a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. The weather conditions will give rise to increasing moistening of the snowpack also at elevated altitudes. Gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are to be expected.