Allgäu Alps West

Increasing wet avalanches, persistent glide-snow avalanches due to rain

Increasing wet avalanches, persistent glide-snow avalanches due to rain

In zones with rain impact and in steep rocky terrain, increasing medium-sized wet snow avalanches are possible, even large-sized ones as the snowpack becomes thoroughly wet. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, behind discontinuities and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Small-to-medium sized avalanches can be triggered by one person. Backcountry sports require much experience in assessing avalanche dangers on-site and prudent route selection; mind the risks of falling. Wet-snow avalanches increasingly possible in steep rocky terrain, can reach medium size. Glide-snow avalanches are still a threat on steep grass-covered and rocky slopes in all aspects, avoid zones below glide cracks.

The snowpack is wet up to high altitudes due to heavy rainfall, increasingly forfeiting its firmness. The warm ground and wet lower layers are reinforcing the gliding movement of the entire snowpack. Strong to stormy winds are transporting the loose snow, generating trigger-prone snowdrift accumlations. Older drifts are bonding better with the surface, but with increasing altitude are still prone to triggering, esp on high-altitude shady slopes, inadequate bonding. The old snowpack below them is generally well consolidated and stable. In zones with rain impact, however, the snowpack is being weakened, in some places with graupel.

Thursday daytime: Heavily overcast skies with frequent rainfall and snowfall during the daytime hours. From Allgäu Alps and Arlberg region into the Verwall, persistent and often heavy precipitation. Above 2200 m: 30-50 cm of fresh snow possible; below 1600-1800 m as sleet and rain. At 2000 m: 0 degrees. Strong W/NW winds.

On Friday, cloudy skies with some bright intervals. Snowfall expected in the afternoon above 1400-1800 m. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.