Lechtal Alps East

Wind slabs require caution, especially above the tree line, as well as in areas close to the tree line.

Wind slabs require caution, especially above the tree line, as well as in areas close to the tree line.

As a consequence of a sometimes strong easterly wind, further wind slabs formed on Monday. The fresh and older wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of slab avalanches being released will increase for a while. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Caution is to be exercised, including in areas close to the tree line. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation loose snow avalanches are possible. This applies especially on rocky sunny slopes. Additionally avalanches can also be triggered in deep layers. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

As a consequence of a strong wind from northeasterly directions, extensive wind slabs formed in the last few days. These will be deposited on soft layers. The snowpack remains prone to triggering especially adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. Stability tests and field observations confirm that the stability of the snowpack varies greatly within a small area.

Above the tree line a considerable avalanche danger will persist.