Allgäu Alps Central

Vorsicht im Bereich von Gleitschneerissen!

Vorsicht im Bereich von Gleitschneerissen!

Moderate avalanche danger prevails in the Bavarian Alps. Wet-snow is the main problem. Medium-sized avalanches can trigger naturally, particularly in steep rocky terrain and on smooth grass-covered slopes where there is sufficient snow and no avalanches have yet discharged. Wet glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches can trigger at any time of day or night, although the problem recedes somewhat during the daytime. In addition, snowdrift accumulations require caution. Avalanche prone locations are found above 2000 m in steep ridgeline terrain in NW/E/SE aspects and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can be triggered even by the additional loading of one single skier and easily cause a fall. On steep shady slopes above 2300 m, triggered avalanches can grow to medium size, particularly when the lower-down layers of the snowpack are also released.

As a result of warm temperatures, rainfall and lack of nocturnal outgoing radiation, water which is seeping into the snowpack at intermediate altitudes, is weakening the snowpack. Water accumulates on melt-freeze crustss or at ground level, and furthers gliding movement of the snowpack, particularly where water has already seep down through glide cracks. At high altitudes on recent days, small snowdrift accumulations were generated. They were deposited atop an old snowpack surface which manifests a highly irregular melt-freeze crust. Furthermore, beneath the melt-freeze and wind crusts, and in some places at ground level, there are intermediate layers prone to triggering, as they are expansively metamorphosed (faceted).

Over the next few days it will be warm, without much precipitation. No significant change is expected in avalanche danger levels.