Lechtal Alps East

Wind slabs at high altitude. Gliding avalanches require caution.

Wind slabs at high altitude. Gliding avalanches require caution.

In the last few days sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as adjacent to ridgelines at elevated altitudes. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized and can be released in some cases by a single winter sport participant. A latent danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2600 m. In isolated cases gliding avalanches are large. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.

Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Saturday above approximately 1500 m. The wind was strong in some cases. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to moistening of the snowpack. The old snowpack will be moist below approximately 2400 m.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force wind from southerly directions, wind slabs will form. Gliding snow requires caution.