Werdenfels Alps

At high altitude snowdrifts here and there.

At high altitude snowdrifts here and there.

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. The main problem are snowdrifts. Isolated avalanche prone locations are found in steep ridgeline terrain in north-to-east aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In some cases a single skier can trigger small to medium-sized slab avalanches. In addition, mostly small loose snow avalanches can trigger naturally in steep rocky terrain. Wherever there is still enough snow, possibility of small (in isolated cases medium-sized) glide snow avalanches triggering naturally in steep terrain with smooth ground.

In the last few days small-scale snowdrift accumulations were generated at high altitude which can still be prone to triggering. However, due to diffuse incoming radiation these are increasingly bonding with the moist old snowpack. At intermediate altitudes the new snow that fell during Tuesday night was frequently deposited on the warm ground or has bonded well with the wet old snowpack and has already become moist. In many places the ground is becoming rapidly bare of snow.

Friday will see the onset of abundant rainfall and simultaneously mild temperatures. The wet snow problem will aggravate.