Kaiser Mountains - Waidring Alps

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies in particular above the tree line, and below approximately 2600 m, in isolated cases also on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Avalanches can reach large size. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2300 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. As a consequence of solar radiation more small and medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected. As a consequence of warming more gliding avalanches and snow slides are possible below approximately 2300 m.

Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, and below approximately 2600 m, in isolated cases also on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together. The wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. The rain gave rise to significant moistening of the snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2300 m. As a consequence of mild temperatures and partly cloudy skies the snowpack can not consolidate.

Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate defensive route selection.