Gurgler Group

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on extremely steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from easterly directions, wind slabs will form from the middle of the day in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. These can in some cases be released, even by a single winter sport participant, but they will be small in most cases. Caution is to be exercised in particular on shady slopes above the tree line in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate deep layers and reach medium size, especially at elevated altitudes.

In some regions up to 15 cm of snow will fall. The wind will be strong for a temporary period in some regions. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on wind-protected shady slopes. The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

The conditions will foster a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.