Karawanks West

An unfavourable avalanche situation will prevail. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

An unfavourable avalanche situation will prevail. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Wind slabs are prone to triggering in all aspects above approximately 1600 m. These can be released in near-surface layers. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size on west, north and east facing slopes. Individual natural avalanches are possible. This applies especially at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In addition in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation, loose snow avalanches are possible.

10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the past few hours. In particular in the Karwanks Central and in the Karwanks East up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The wind will be strong to storm force. The northwesterly wind will transport the new snow significantly. Further 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 1900 m.

As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs will form. Avalanches can be released easily.