Allgäu Alps Central

Large-scale snowdrift accumulations extremely prone to triggering.

Large-scale snowdrift accumulations extremely prone to triggering.

Avalanche danger above 1600 m is considerable; below that altitude it is moderate. Fresh snowdrifts are the main problem. Slab avalanches of small-to-medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading in places, i.e. from one sole skier. Many avalanche prone locations are found above 1600m in steep ridgeline terrain in N/E/SW aspects, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, below terrain protruberances as well as in wind-loaded forest ailes in forest transition zones. With ascending altitude the number of avalanche prone locations increases, avalanches trigger more easily and can potentially be larger. In addition, on steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small to medium-sized glide snow avalanches can release spontaneously.

A few centimeters of fresh snow are deposited atop a wind-impacted snowpack. Ridges and crests have been blown bare down to the snowpack base, with only an icy crust left. In leeward zones, large snowdrift accumulations were generated. Embedded in them are trigger-sensitive boundary layers consisting of faceted crystals that were able to form while precipitation paused. At higher altitudes and on shady slopes the snowpack base is very compact. At lower altitudes and on sunny slopes up to half a meter of powdery snow blankets the wet ground.

Quiet winter weather. Avalanche danger will gradually diminish over the next few days.