Allgäu Alps Central

Fresh drifts prone to triggering

Fresh drifts prone to triggering

Avalanche danger is moderate. Main problem: fresh snowdrift accumulations. Many danger zones occur above the treeline near to and distant from ridges on wind-loaded steep slopes on N/E/S facing slopes behind protruberances and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In places, medium-sized avalanches are possible. In addition, at intermediate altitudes isolated glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on smooth steep grass-covered slopes. Glide-snow avalanches can reach medium size.

The few centimetres of fresh snow are being transported by gale-strength westerly winds, deposited in wind-protected zones. Graupel is often embedded inside the drifts. Snowdrift accumulations are generally shallow, but prone to triggering. At high altitudes there are deeply embedded layers composed of facted crystals. At intermediate altitudes the wind-transported snow masses lie deposited atop a compact and melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack surface where the snowpack is frequently moist down to the ground. This reinforces gliding movements of the snowpack.

Further snowfall is forecast, accompanied by wind, thus, avalanche danger will increase.