Berchtesgaden Alps

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes are prone to triggering

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes are prone to triggering

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, danger below that altitude is low. The fresh snowdrifts are the problem: they can trigger a slab avalanche by minimum additional loading in some places. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain on N/E/S facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and size of the danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Above the treeline, avalanches can reach medium size.

Fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrifts lie deposited atop a wetll settled snowpack, with melt-freeze crust at intermediate altitudes, on south-facing slopes often on bare ground. Strong winds are transporting the fresh snow, generating new snowdrift accumulations. In wind-protected terrain, these are being deposited atop older drifts and soft layers and are prone to triggering. Inside the snowdrift masses weak layers are embedded.

Increase in avalanche danger levels at intermediate altitudes due to rain and warmer temperatures on Sunday and on Monday.