Karawanks West

The conditions are unfavourable.

The conditions are unfavourable.

Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can be released easily by individual winter sport participants in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. This applies especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 1800 m. Avalanches can release deeper layers of the snowpack and reach medium size in particular along the border with Slovenia. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. They are barely recognisable. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the danger. As a consequence of the rain individual small wet loose snow avalanches are possible.

In particular along the border with Slovenia 5 to 15 cm of snow has fallen since Tuesday above approximately 1200 m. 10 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1500 m. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar on wind-protected shady slopes. The old snowpack is faceted and weak. The rain will give rise as the day progresses to thorough wetting of the snowpack below approximately 1500 m.

The avalanche conditions remain unfavourable. The new snow of Thursday will be deposited on a weakly bonded old snowpack. The snowpack will become increasingly prone to triggering.