Chiemgau Alps East

Snowdrifts prone to triggering in isolated cases

Snowdrifts prone to triggering in isolated cases

Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts can be problematic at high altitudes. Small slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found in steep shady ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate consideration.

Nocturnal outgoing short-wave radiation is generating a melt-freeze crust on sunny slopes. On the shady side the snowpack surface is powdery.Isolated freshly-generated snowdrifts at high altitudes are prone to triggering. Older drifts have consolidated. Inside the snowpack at high altitudes there are still layers of faceted crystals, unlikely to trigger. The snowpack fundament is frequently wet. South-facing slopes are becoming increasingly bare of snow.

As temperatures rise, wet-snow problems will move into the foreground.