Lechtal Alps East

A sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will prevail. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

A sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will prevail. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack can be released easily by individual winter sport participants especially in little used terrain. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. As a consequence of the strong to storm force westerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. These are in some cases prone to triggering above approximately 2200 m. The fresh wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. The avalanche situation is more favourable in highly frequented off-piste terrain.

Over a wide area 15 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday. The westerly wind has transported the new snow significantly. The fresh wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places, in particular in places that are protected from the wind above approximately 2200 m. Above the tree line: Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. Below the tree line: The old snowpack is moist and its surface has a crust that is barely capable of bearing a load.

A sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will persist. Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger. 10 to 15 cm of snow will fall until Sunday. The wind will be light to moderate. The wind slabs of the last few days will be covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise.