Lechtal Alps East

Natural avalanches are to be expected. The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are critical.

Natural avalanches are to be expected. The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are critical.

As a consequence of the heavy snowfall more frequent natural avalanches are to be expected. Avalanches can be triggered in the old snowpack and reach quite a large size. This applies on steep slopes above approximately 2000 m. The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are critical. Winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily, including large ones. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. The avalanche prone locations are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. Natural avalanches and whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint are required. In addition a certain danger of gliding avalanches exists. In the regions exposed to a lot of new snow this applies in particular on steep grassy slopes.

Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow will fall. In the central and eastern parts of the main Alpine ridge and in the Ortler Range up to 80 cm of snow will fall. The sometimes strong wind will transport the new snow. Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. This applies above approximately 2000 m. Field observations confirm the existence of a weak snowack.

Outside marked and open pistes a critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day after a long period of poor weather.