Chiemgau Alps East

Small-area snowdrifts are prone to triggering

Small-area snowdrifts are prone to triggering

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: fresh snowdrift accumulations. Many danger zones occur above the treeline near to and distant from ridges on wind-loaded steep slopes on N/E/S facing slopes behind protruberances and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. One sole skier can trigger small slab avalanches. Risk of taking a fall outweigh those of being buried in snow.

The few centimetres of fresh snow are being transported by gale-strength westerly winds, deposited in wind-protected zones. Graupel is often embedded inside the drifts. Snowdrift accumulations are generally shallow, but prone to triggering. At high altitudes there are deeply embedded layers composed of facted crystals. At intermediate altitudes the wind-transported snow masses lie deposited atop a compact and melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack surface where the snowpack is frequently moist down to the ground.

Further snowfall is forecast, accompanied by wind, thus, avalanche danger will increase.