Kitzbühel Alps Wildschönau

For those venturing off piste a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

For those venturing off piste a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

The large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs can be released easily above the tree line. Avalanches can be triggered in near-surface layers and reach medium size. Additionally in isolated cases avalanches can penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack, especially on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. As a consequence of solar radiation loose snow avalanches are possible. This applies in particular on very steep slopes in places that are protected from the wind. In addition gliding avalanches are to be expected, especially on cut and grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m.

30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind has transported the new snow significantly. Extensive wind slabs formed. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers above the tree line. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes.

Avalanches can as before be released by people. The meteorological conditions will bring about a gradual stabilisation of the near-surface layers.