Werdenfels Alps

Considerable avalanche danger at high altitude due to large quantities of new snow and wind!

Considerable avalanche danger at high altitude due to large quantities of new snow and wind!

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is considerable; below that altitude it is moderate. Main problem: new snow bonded by wind adjacent to ridgelines, elsewhere loose. Loose snow avalanches can release spontaneously in steep rocky terrain. Adjacent to ridgelines and in wind-exposed terrain slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole individual. Avalanches attain medium size. Danger of being buried in snow masses. Spread and frequency of danger zones will increase with ascending altitude.

Wide-spread 50 cm of snowfall in the last few days, locally even more. In wind-exposed areas the new snow bonded slab-like and is extremly trigger-sensitive; elsewhere it is mostly loose and powdery. Weak intermediate layers are embedded in the new snow cover which formed while precipitation paused. In particular on shady slopes at high altitude weak layers have persisted in the old snowpack in places.

It will stay chilly and dry; the new snow will settle gradually. Avalanche danger will therefore decrease again over the next few days.