Lechtal Alps East

New snow represents the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

New snow represents the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

The extensive wind slabs of Wednesday are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily, including medium-sized ones. Individual natural avalanches are possible, even large ones in isolated cases. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. In addition there is a danger of gliding avalanches. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. This applies on very steep slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanches can reach large size.

Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 50 cm in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1000 m. The more recent wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. They are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular above approximately 2200 m. The rain gave rise to thorough wetting of the snowpack in particular at low and intermediate altitudes. The old snowpack is wet, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

As a consequence of rising temperatures the snowpack will settle during the next few days. Gradual decrease in danger of gliding avalanches as a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation.