Berchtesgaden Alps

Wet snow at low altitudes, snowdrifts at high altitudes

Wet snow at low altitudes, snowdrifts at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, danger below that altitude is low. Main problem: the fresh snowdrifts. In extremely steep terrain, fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered even by minimum additional loading, i.e. one sole skier, and unleash a slab avalanche. Danger zones occur on steep ridgeline slopes in N/E aspects but also distant from ridges in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Frequency and size of avalanche prone location.s In extremely steep terrain in all aspects, wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at intermediate altitudes. They are generally small-sized. In extremely steep terrain in all aspects at intermediate altitudes, in addition, wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. They are generally small.

Storm-strength winds are transporting the small amounts of fresh fallen snow, generating new snowdrift accumulations, which are being deposited atop soft layers in summit regions. The small bit of fresh snow will create a trigger-sensitive weak layer. At low altitudes the rain is making the snowpack thoroughly wet, which is causing the snowpack to forfeit its firmness.

Further precipitation will make avalanche danger increase slightly in the next few days.