In western Austria

Level 4: Fresh snow causes great avalanche danger

The avalanche situation is critical in the Tyrolean Oberland and in parts of Vorarlberg.

(Bild: Wilhelm Eder)

The sometimes enormous amounts of fresh snow are causing alarm bells to ring for the avalanche warning services in western Austria. In some regions of Tyrol and Vorarlberg, the warning level is 4 out of 5, meaning increased caution is required away from the secured pistes at Christmas!

"High avalanche danger. The conditions off the slopes are dangerous", warns the Tyrol Avalanche Warning Service on its website. Danger level 4 above the tree line applies in the Tyrolean Oberland, for example in the Allgäu Alps and the western Lechtal Alps. The large amount of fresh snow and the extensive accumulations of drifting snow are very prone to disruption.

With fresh snow and strong winds, spontaneous avalanches are to be expected, even large ones.

Lawinenwarndienst Tirol

Caution in open terrain
As the precipitation subsides from Tuesday afternoon, the avalanche risk will gradually decrease again, but the snow cover will have weak layers. "With the low temperatures, the snow cover can hardly settle. Tours require caution and restraint," the experts continue to emphasize.

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

Critical situation also in Vorarlberg
In parts of Vorarlberg, too, there was still a high avalanche danger of level 4 on the five-level scale on Tuesday. The Lechquellengebirge above 2000 meters above sea level was affected.