Chiemgau Alps East

Trigger-sensitive snowdrifts accumulating over the course of the day

Trigger-sensitive snowdrifts accumulating over the course of the day

Above 1600m, avalanche danger is considerable, below that altitude moderate. Main problem: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can be triggered as a slab avalanche even by one sole person. Frequency and magnitude of danger zones will increase as the day progresses. Avalanche prone locations occur on steep ridgeline N/E/SW facing slopes and in gullies and bowls. Triggered releases can reach medium size. In addition, at intermediate altitudes isolated glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. They release on steep grassy slopes in all aspects, can reach medium size.

The fresh snow was deposited with little wind impact on a highly irregular snowpack surface. Below 1600m the old snow beneath it is moist-to-wet and bonding to the fresh snow is good. At higher altitudes the bonding of fresh to old snow is poorer, also there are trigger-sensitive intermediate layers inside older snowdrift accumulations. At high altitudes there are ground-level layers of faceted crystals. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack base is often wet and a generally gliding snowpack is the result. All in all, snow depths are above average for this juncture of the season.

Precipitation will taper off, the fresh snow will be able to settle. Avalanche danger will slowly recede over the next few days.