Werdenfels Alps

Critical amount of new fallen snow and wind at high altitude cause marked increase of avalanche danger

Critical amount of new fallen snow and wind at high altitude cause marked increase of avalanche danger

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is considerable; below that altitude it is moderate. The main problem is new snow, bonded by wind in ridgeline terrain and elsewhere loose. Loose snow avalanches can release spontaneously in steep rocky terrain. Slab avalanches can be triggered easily by one individual in wind-exposed summit zones adjacent to ridgelines. In areas with plenty of new snow and where the new snow blanketed encrusted old snowpack surfaces avalanches reach medium size. Danger of being buried. Spread and frequency of the danger zones will increase with ascending altitude.

In the last few days up to half a meter of new snow has fallen and snowfall continues in the northern orographic lift zone. Although the new snow has bonded with the settled old snowpack surface at high altitude, commencing wind will generate fresh snowdrifts which are extremely trigger-sensitive because they are deposited atop loose snow layers. In particular on shady slopes at high altitude weak layers have persisted in the old snowpack in places.

It will stay chilly with ongoing snowfall. The avalanche situation remains tense.