Werdenfels Alps

Fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrifts at summit levels

Fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrifts at summit levels

Avalanche danger is moderate. Increasingly frequent wet-snow avalanches can be expected in steep rocky terrain of all aspects. In addition, glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on steep grass-covered slopes at any time of day or night. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations will be deposited at high altitudes, they will be small but nevertheless triggerable as slabs by one single winter sports enthusiast. They are large enough to bury a person in snow masses if they fracture down to the weaker layers deeply embedded inside the snowpack. Avalanche danger zones are found in wind-loaded gullies and bowls at high altitude, as well as on steep ridgeline slopes in NW/N/E aspects.

As a result of rising temperatures and some rainfall, the shallow snowpack will become wet, forfeit its firmness. Gliding movements will increase. On steep shady slopes at higher altitude, the snowpack contains weak layers of faceted, loose crystals bordering against melt-freeze crusts. A melt-freeze encrusted snowpack fundament occurs on shady slopes above 1200 m. All in all, there is still very little snow.

As a result of rising temperatures over the next few days, the snowpack at high altitudes will settle and stabilise. On sunny slopes, the ground is becoming bare.