Chiemgau Alps East

Snowdrifts occur especially in summit and pass areas

Snowdrifts occur especially in summit and pass areas

Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts are often problematic above the treeline. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast. The releases will mostly be small-sized. In isolated cases on very steep slopes small glide-snow avalanches can release over smooth ground.

The forecast snowfall will be deposited on south-facing slopes atop a slightly melt-freeze encrusted surface, on shady slopes atop a softened surface. In the western and high-altitude regions the snowfall will be heavier. Westerly winds will accompany it. Particularly in summit and pass areas, large-sized snowdrifts will accumulate which will be deposited on top of soft layers. Inside the old snowpack are melt-freeze crusts which become less marked with ascending altitude. In some places a trigger-sensitive layer of faceted crystals has formed near the crusts, particularly on north-facing slopes at higher altitudes. The snowpack base at low altitudes is often moist, sometimes wet, which tends to further the gliding movement of the entire snowpack over smooth ground.

The activity of wet avalanches will increase with the rising temperatures, snowdrifts will consolidate.