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Level 4 Avalanche Danger Spreads Across Alps as Searches Underway in Tyrol

Heavy new snow over a weak base with strong winds has created widespread slab instabilities.

Overview

  • Regional avalanche services set the second-highest danger level above the treeline in areas including the Allgäuer, Lechtaler, Silvretta and Verwall ranges.
  • Tirol expects roughly half a meter of additional snowfall through Sunday, with wind-drifted snow loading a fragile snowpack formed during the recent cold spell.
  • Swiss and regional danger maps show a broad high-risk band from eastern to western Switzerland into France, with the SLF calling off-piste conditions very critical and urging rescue gear.
  • Search operations were launched Sunday after several avalanches in Tyrol, including incidents near St. Anton and alerts at Rofan, Tux and Jochberg, with at least two people reported injured.
  • Media reports from Savoie in France say three skiers died in separate off-piste avalanches in Val d’Isère and Arêches-Beaufort.