Berchtesgaden Alps

Assess fresh snowdrifts at high altitude cautiously.

Assess fresh snowdrifts at high altitude cautiously.

Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts can be problematic. In particular at high altitudes, isolated fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small slab avalanches by minimum additional loading. Danger zones are located in very steep north- and east-facing terrain. The risks of taking a fall outweigh those of being buried in snow masses. Small glide-snow avalanches can in addition trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground, in all places with sufficient snow.

Up to 15 centimeters of new fallen snow will be impacted by moderate westerly and northerly winds. The new snow has bonded well with the moist old snowpack surface. Most of the time the snow base is completely soaked and frequently wet at the ground. At intermediate altitudes small snowdrifts will accumulate. However, these are not likely to trigger. At high altitude a layer consisting of faceted crystals persists at the old snowpack surface on the shady side which can constitute a weak layer for small slab avalanches. Up to the timberline in south aspects the small quantities of new fallen snow are mainly deposited on bare ground.

Avalanche danger levels will remain low.