Chiemgau Alps East

Frequency and spread of fresh snowdrift accumulations increase with ascending altitude

Frequency and spread of fresh snowdrift accumulations increase with ascending altitude

Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. The main problem: snowdrifts. Many danger zones lie in steep ridgeline terrain in N/E/SW aspects and in freshly wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Even minimum additional loading is sufficient to trigger a small slab avalanche. The risks of falling outweigh those of being buried in snow masses. At intermediate altitudes, isolated glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on smooth, grass-covered slopes which have not yet discharged. Avalanches can reach medium size.

A small amount of fresh snow and strong NW winds will generate fresh, small snowdrift accumulations, deposited on top of powder, surface hoar or smooth wind and melt-freeze crusts - they are prone to triggering. The old snowpack has settled well and is stable. On shady slopes the snow is still powdery, on sunny slopes breakable wind crusts and melt-freeze crusts dominate. Up to intermediate altitudes the snowpack is moist nearly down to the ground, which furthers gliding movement of the overall snowpack. At high altitudes, isolated older drifts have persisted, they are still triggerable in the weak intermediate layers. Below 1400 m the small amount of fresh snow is deposited on bare ground.

In the next few days, instable conditions will prevail. Precipitation and intensifying westerly winds can raise avalanche danger levels further.