Weißkugel Group

Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

Avalanches can in some places be released in the weakly bonded old snow, even by a single winter sport participant, in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Avalanches can in some cases reach dangerously large size. In addition the somewhat older wind slabs are capable of being triggered in some cases still. Adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent.

In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Snow profiles and stability tests confirm this situation. The somewhat older wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack especially on wind-protected shady slopes. They are mostly easy to recognise but prone to triggering. As a consequence of mild temperatures, solar radiation and the light to moderate wind, the snow drift accumulations stabilised during the last few days, in particular on sunny slopes.

As a consequence of the occasionally strong northerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Saturday. In the regions exposed to the foehn wind there will be only a slight increase in the avalanche danger.