Chiemgau Alps East

Increasing sink-in depths are indicators of wet snow danger.

Increasing sink-in depths are indicators of wet snow danger.

Avalanche danger above 1600 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Wet snow is the main problem. Loose snow avalanches can trigger naturally in very steep terrain where the snow cover is still sufficient. In addition, wet glide snow avalanches can trigger naturally on steep smooth grassy slopes that have not yet discharged. Wet avalanches tend to be small, however, at higher altitudes they can in places grow to medium size.

Depending on the nocturnal cloudiness the snowpack is covered by a melt-freeze crust in the morning that is capable of bearing loads. High temperatures and solar radiation make it soften swiftly in the morning. As a consequence it forfeits its firmness. Strong warming and solar radiation during the course of the day result in a strong penetration of moistness down to deepest layers of the snowpack at all altitudes and in all aspects. The water seeps down to the ground and promotes gliding movements over the smooth ground. On the sunny side and below 1600 m there is not much snow left.

Slight decrease in wet and gliding snow danger by the beginning of the week.