Allgäu Alps Central

Carefully assess the snowdrifts and old snow at high altitudes

Carefully assess the snowdrifts and old snow at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: snowdrifts. Danger zones are found in steep ridgeline terrain on N/E/SE slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Small slab avalanches can be triggered even by one single winter sports enthusiast Apart from this, inside the old snow at higher altitudes, medium slab avalanches can be triggered, in some places even by one sole winter sports enthusiast in the snowy gullies and bowls. Glide-snow avalanches can unleash on steep grass-covered slopes and the rainfall can trigger small loose snowslides.

At low and intermediate altitudes the snow is moist from rainfall and higher temperatures. Small drifts lie deposited atop loose, faceted layers and on surface hoar. In additiojn, inside the old snow are layers of faceted crystals sandwiched between crusts which can be triggered. Elsewhere the snow depths are shallow, above 1300 m there are snow depths of 30-60 cm, more in gullies and bowls. The moist snow enhances glide snow movements.

Little change in avalanche danger levels is anticipated.