In the west of the country

Christmas snow brings great avalanche danger

Increased caution is required away from the secured pistes.

(Bild: Hubert Rauth (Symbolbild))

The pre-Christmas fresh snow has significantly increased the avalanche risk in the west of Austria! In parts of the Tyrolean Oberland and Vorarlberg in particular, there is even a warning level 4 of 5 above the tree line. Increased caution and restraint are required!

Danger level 4 above the tree line applies in the Tyrolean Oberland, for example in the Allgäu Alps and the western Lechtal Alps. "30 to 60 centimetres of snow have fallen since Saturday", according to the state's avalanche warning service. There will be more on Monday and at Christmas.

Individual winter sports enthusiasts can trigger avalanches in many places, even large ones.

Lawinenwarndienst Tirol

"The fresh snow and the extensive accumulations of drifting snow are very susceptible to disruption. Individual winter sports enthusiasts can trigger avalanches in many places, even large ones. The danger spots are located at all exposures above the tree line. Some danger spots are also located near the tree line," warn the experts.

Trend: avalanche danger remains
Medium sliding snow avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes. "They can happen at any time of day or night." The avalanche danger remains. "With fresh snow and storms, large and occasionally very large spontaneous avalanches are still possible," the experts added.

In other parts of Tyrol, avalanche warning level 3 - considerable danger - was in force above the tree line on Monday.

Avalanche situation remains very critical
In parts of Vorarlberg, the avalanche danger above the tree line was also assessed as high on Monday. The Lechquellengebirge was affected.

In the mountains, deep winter weather was also forecast for Monday and Tuesday in icy cold conditions. "The avalanche situation remains very critical", according to the avalanche warning services in Vorarlberg and Tyrol.