Werdenfels Alps

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes and wet snow during the daytime

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes and wet snow during the daytime

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate, danger below that altitude is low. The fresh snowdrifts are the problem: they can trigger a slab avalanche by minimum additional loading in some places. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain on N/E/S facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and size of the danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Above the treeline, avalanches can reach medium size. At low altitudes, the danger of wet loose-snow avalanches will increase during the day. They can trigger naturally in all aspects in rocky steep terrain, generally remain small-sized.

Fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrifts lie deposited atop a well settled snowpack, with melt-freeze crust at intermediate altitudes, on south-facing slopes often on bare ground. Strong winds are transporting the fresh snow, generating new snowdrift accumulations. In wind-protected terrain, these are being deposited atop older drifts and soft layers and are prone to triggering. Inside the snowdrift masses weak layers are embedded. At low altitudes the snowfall will turn to rain and the snowpack will lose its firmness.

Wet snow will soon be the main problem.