Tuxer Alps West

As a consequence of new snow and wind a precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

As a consequence of new snow and wind a precarious avalanche situation will prevail.

The fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the storm force northwesterly wind represent the main danger. Avalanches can be released easily or triggered naturally. In some places avalanches can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach large size. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. The avalanche prone locations are prevalent and are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. They are to be found in all aspects above the tree line, also on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as on wind-loaded slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. In the regions with a lot of snow gliding avalanches and snow slides are to be expected. The current avalanche situation calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint.

Over a wide area 30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until Monday. The wind will be strong to storm force. The fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the northwesterly wind will be deposited on soft layers in particular on west to north to east facing aspects. In the course of the day the wind slabs will increase in size once again. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on wind-protected shady slopes. Fresh avalanches and whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.

The snowpack remains prone to triggering. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Tuesday.