Tuxer Alps West

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

The fresh wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can reach medium size. The clearly visible wind slabs are to be avoided. Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in isolated cases by individual winter sport participants. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Avalanches can reach medium size. In very isolated cases avalanches can also penetrate deep layers. This applies on very steep north facing slopes above approximately 2800 m.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong southerly foehn wind, wind slabs formed since Monday in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The wind slabs are lying on soft layers on west, north and east facing slopes. In some places wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. This applies especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, in particular in shady places that are protected from the wind. Field observations confirm the existence of a weak snowack especially in high Alpine regions.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.