Werdenfels Alps

At high altitudes the loose new snow can trigger naturally.

At high altitudes the loose new snow can trigger naturally.

Moderate avalanche danger above 2200m, below that it is low. In patches, new snow at high altitudes can be problematic. A few small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are possible in steep rocky terrain. Small-scale snowdrift accumulations adjacent to ridgelines can sometimes be prone to triggering. Slab avalanches remain mostly small and the danger of taking a fall exceeds that of being buried in snow. On steep grass-covered slopes, in addition, glide-snow avalanches cannot be ruled out. At intermediate altitudes the number of avalanche prone locations will increase slightly on Tuesday and Wednesday due to rain. Small wet snow avalanches are also possible.

All in all, the old snowpack is compact and, by and large, stable. Above 2000m some new snow will fall accompanied by partly stormy wind; below that altitude there will be on and off rain. Higher up some small-scale snowdrifts will accumulate which can partly still be prone to triggering. Due to sun and warm temperatures the new snow also forfeits cohesion. At intermediate altitudes and on sunny high altitude slopes the snowpack softens mostly down to the Saharan dust crust as a consequence of warm temperatures.

On Thursday and Friday the weather will become more pleasant. The danger of dry snow avalanches will recede and wet snow avalanches will be subject to a daytime danger cycle. The next Avalanche Bulletin update will be published on Thursday.