Glockner Group Pasterze

Natural avalanches are to be expected.

For those venturing off piste a dangerous avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.

The large quantity of fresh snow and the sometimes large wind slabs that are forming in all aspects can be released easily or naturally above the tree line. Avalanches can be triggered in near-surface layers and reach large size in isolated cases. Additionally in some places avalanches can penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. The danger exists primarily in alpine snow sports terrain. In addition dry loose snow avalanches are possible, especially on extremely steep slopes.

20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the past few hours. 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until the afternoon. The wind will be storm force. The wind will transport the new snow significantly. Deep wind slabs will form. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack will be weakly bonded, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, and on south facing slopes at elevated altitudes.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs will form. Avalanches can as before be released easily.