Werdenfels Alps

New snow and snowdrifts prone to triggering in particular higher up. Wet snow at lower altitudes.

New snow and snowdrifts prone to triggering in particular higher up. Wet snow at lower altitudes.

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is considerable; below that altitude it is moderate. Main problem: snowdrifts which can be triggered even by the weight of a single skier, in particular in steep ridgeline terrain in N/E/SE aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Avalanches are mostly medium-sized, but when sweeping along the old snowpack at high altitude they can in isolated cases grow to large size. Avalanche prone locations increase in size and frequency with ascending altitude. In addition, small to medium-sized superficial dry avalanches can release in very steep zones in all aspects; at lower altitudes wet loose snow activity will intensify. On smooth ground, small to medium-sized glide snow avalanches are also possible.

Over the last few days up to half a meter of new snow has fallen widespread at higher altitudes, locally even more. By Sunday evening another 10 cm to 30 cm will have added in the Western Bavarian Alpine region, only 5 cm to 10 cm in the Eastern Bavarian Alpine region. Both within the new snow and the snowdrifts of the last few days as well as at transitions to the old snowpack there are frequently thin soft layers that formed during the interims of snowfall and due to changing wind velocities. These are prone to triggering. At high altitudes the old snowpack is otherwise by and large compact and stable; at intermediate altitudes it is wet down to the ground. The new snow will also become moist again up to intermediate altitude and is weakened by slight warming and partly rainfall.

As precipitation decreases gradually the danger of dry avalanches will recede slowly. The wet snow problem will aggravate.