Lechtal Alps East

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

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

The somewhat older wind slabs are prone to triggering above the tree line. These are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches can in some places be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as on wind-loaded slopes. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase.

The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released even now by individual winter sport participants. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from southerly directions, easily released wind slabs will form.