Tuxer Alps West

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from southwesterly directions, rather small wind slabs will form in the course of the day in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. 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. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released by small loads and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m.

Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The old wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. Weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack also on south facing slopes. This applies in particular in high Alpine regions. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface during the last few days, especially on steep sunny slopes. The old snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes. This applies in particular on south facing slopes.

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.