Chiemgau Alps East

Near ridgelines, snowdrifts can be triggered by one sole skier

Near ridgelines, snowdrifts can be triggered by one sole skier

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Above the treeline on NW/E/SE facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, avalanches can be released by one sole winter sports enthusiast. They can be medium-sized. As a result of solar radiation and daytime warming, small loose-snow avalanches can release naturally in steep rocky terrain.

Since Monday at high altitudes, strong easterly winds have generated fresh snowdrift accumulations. The new and older snowdrifts lie bonded atop soft layers of expansively metamorphosed crystals and are prone to triggering. At intermediate altitudes the rising temperatures have helped the snowpack to settle and moistened the upper layers on sunny slopes. There, a melt-freeze crust will form at night, subsequently soften up during the daytime hours. On high alpine shady slopes, weak layers have persisted inside the snowpack.

Avalanche danger will diminish over the next few days.