Karawanks West

An unfavourable avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions. Defensive route selection is required.

An unfavourable avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions. Defensive route selection is required.

Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow, even by a single winter sport participant. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are numerous and are barely recognisable. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.

The large quantity of fresh snow of last week and the extensive wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack is faceted. Distinct weak layers exist in the snowpack.

Avalanches can as before be released by a single winter sport participant. The snowpack remains prone to triggering at elevated altitudes.