Werdenfels Alps

Caution on hiking trails: beware of wet snow avalanches triggering above you!

Caution on hiking trails: beware of wet snow avalanches triggering above you!

Avalanche danger is moderate, but rises to considerable above 2000 m during the course of the day. Main problem: wet snow. Wet loose snow avalanches can trigger naturally in steep rocky terrain as a consequence of rainfall. Wherever there is still enough snow, in addition possibility of glide snow avalanches triggering naturally in steep terrain with smooth ground. Avalanches are generally small to medium-sized. At high altitudes they can grow to large size in isolated cases.In addition, fresh snowdrifts can be generated at highest altitudes in N/E aspects during the course of the day. These can be triggered by a single individual as medium-sized slabs.

Friday morning will see the onset of persistent heavy rain from the west even up to summit altitudes which will considerably weaken the already thoroughly moist snowpack, i.e., the snow can release spontaneously in steep terrain. The ground layers of the snowpack are also wet which promotes gliding of the snow masses over smooth ground. Only at highest altitudes of the Werdenfels Alps will precipitation fall as new snow and will be transported by strong westerly wind. In places, the fresh snowdrifts can be prone to triggering.

The rainfall is associated with a clear decline of the snowpack depths. Over the weekend, the wet snow problem will decrease further.