Weißkugel Group

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

The new snow and wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, above the tree line. Individual natural avalanches are possible, especially in the Ultental and in the Ortler Range. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Avalanches can in some cases reach quite a large size. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in some places even by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases. As a consequence of warming small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are possible. In particular in the regions with a lot of snow more frequent small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible, especially below approximately 2600 m.

Over a wide area 15 to 25 cm of snow, and up to 40 cm in some localities, will fall on Tuesday. As a consequence of new snow and wind the wind slabs will increase in size appreciably. They are prone to triggering. Avalanche prone weak layers exist deeper in the snowpack in particular on steep east, north and west facing slopes.

The conditions will facilitate a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. The high humditiy will give rise to increasing moistening of the snowpack also at elevated altitudes. Gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are to be expected.