Kalkkögel

For those venturing off piste a dangerous avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.

For those venturing off piste a dangerous avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.

The large quantity of fresh snow and the sometimes large wind slabs that are forming in all aspects can be released easily or naturally above the tree line. Avalanches can be triggered in near-surface layers and reach medium size. Additionally in some places avalanches can penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size on west, north and east facing slopes, especially above approximately 2200 m. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. The danger exists primarily in alpine snow sports terrain. In addition gliding avalanches are possible, especially on cut and grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m.

20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday. Up to 15 cm of snow will fall in the next few hours. The wind will be strong. The wind will transport the new snow significantly. Further wind slabs will form. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack will be weakly bonded, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, and on south facing slopes in high Alpine regions.

Avalanches can as before be released easily. Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day.