Werdenfels Alps

Snowdrifts at high altitude, wet snow at lower altitudes

Snowdrifts at high altitude, wet snow at lower altitudes

Avalanche danger is moderate. Snowdrifts are problematic. Fresh and older snowdrifts can trigger a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche by minimum additional loading in some places. Danger zones occur in steep east and south-facing terrain, as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, and tend to increase with ascending altitude. Releases are mostly small-sized. In isolated cases on very steep slopes where the ground is smooth, small glide-snow avalanches can unleash.

The generated snowdrift masses have been covered by freshly generated snowdrifts. The layers bneath the drifts are prone to triggering. On shady slopes at high altitudes there are layers of faceted crystals, in isolated cases these are prone to triggering. Below 1800m, widespread rainfall is expected. Loose, surface snow wil become moist-to-wet and forfeit its consolidation. The snow base is often moist, in some places wet, which reinforces gliding movements over smooth ground.

Snowdrifts will continue to consolidate due to higher temperatures.