Lechtal Alps East

The danger of wet avalanches will already increase in the early morning.

The danger of wet avalanches will already increase in the early morning.

As a consequence of warming and solar radiation, the natural activity of wet avalanches will rapidly increase. This applies on steep east, south and west facing slopes, this also applies on shady slopes below approximately 2400 m. The wet avalanches can release the saturated snowpack and reach medium size. On steep grassy slopes more frequent medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large gliding avalanches are possible below approximately 2600 m. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided. In steep gullies wet avalanches can in isolated cases reach areas without any snow cover. Backcountry tours and ascents to alpine cabins should be started and concluded very early.

The weather will be exceptionally warm. The wind will be moderate to strong adjacent to ridgelines especially in the regions exposed to the foehn wind. The surface of the snowpack will freeze very little and will soften earlier than the day before. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise from late morning to extreme and thorough wetting of the snowpack especially on very steep slopes. These conditions will cause a rapid weakening of the snowpack. In areas with a thinner snowpack the saturation and consequently the loss of strength happens more rapidly. Hardly any snow is lying at low and intermediate altitudes.

Some snow will fall. As the temperature drops there will be a gradual decrease in the danger of wet avalanches.