Tuxer Alps West

Fresh wind slabs - Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Fresh wind slabs - Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

The fresh snow and in particular the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force northwesterly wind can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. On extremely steep sunny slopes loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes. Shady slopes are especially critical, in particular between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in the old snowpack and reach dangerously large size. In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, especially on steep grassy slopes.

20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 50 cm in some localities, has fallen since Monday. In the Northern Oetz and Stubai Alps, in the Brandenberg Alps and in the Tuxer Alps less snow fell. The wind will be moderate to strong. Avalanche prone wind slabs formed. This applies in all aspects above the tree line. The fresh wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes and in high Alpine regions. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.

The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.