Allgäu Alps Central

Large-scale snowdrift accumulations are trigger-sensitive, in particular at high altitudes.

Large-scale snowdrift accumulations are trigger-sensitive, in particular at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is considerable; below that altitude it is moderate. Main problem: the snowdrifts of the last few days. Slab avalanches of medium size can be triggered by minimum additional loading, i.e., by one sole person engaged in wintersports. Avalanche prone locations are found starting from forest transition zones and in particular above 2000 m on steep slopes adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects, in gullies and bowls filled with wind-transported snow and behind terrain protuberances. Size and frequency of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. In addition, on steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small to medium-sized glide snow avalanches can release spontaneously. It is also possible that small loose snow avalanches release naturally in steep rocky terrain due to solar radiation.

Wind from different directions generated large-scale snowdrift accumulations in the last few days. Embedded in them are trigger-sensitive boundary layers consisting of faceted crystals that were able to form while precipitation paused and surface hoar. In particular at high altitude the old snowpack is wind-impacted and partly icy and slippery. Gullies and bowls are filled with drifted snow. At higher altitudes and on shady slopes the snowpack base is very compact. At lower altitudes and on sunny slopes up to half a meter of powdery snow is found directly on the wet ground.

Due to solar radiation and calm weather the avalanche danger will decrease further in the next few days.