Allgäu Alps West

Delicate avalanche situation widespread in outlying terrain

Delicate avalanche situation widespread in outlying terrain

Fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrifts are extremely prone to triggering, In addition, it is weak, its bonding to the old snowpack is also weak. One single person can trigger slab avalanches in the drifts and old snow. If the fracture sweeps away the entire snowpack, particularly in regions where fresh snowfall has been heaviest, the release can grow to large size. Danger zones occur especially on steep shady slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls in all aspects. Frequency and extent of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. Also naturally triggered avalanches and remote triggerings are possible. Activities in backcountry demand defensive conduct.

Widespread 20-40cm of fresh snow is anticipated. It will be transported by intermittently strong westerly-to-northwesterly winds. The fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts since Thursday often lie deposited on top oa a loosely-packed, faceted, expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface or atop surface hoar. Thus, bonding is poor. The old snowpack is unfavorably structured. In addition, layers inside the fresh snow and freshly generated drifts are also prone to triggering.

Nocturnal hours: heavy, intense snowfall down to low altitudes. Sunday: impeded visibility due to low lying clouds and snowfall. Later on, it will become drier, clouds will disperse somewhat. Temperature at 2000m: -11 degrees; at 3000m: -17 degreres. Moderate to strong-velocity northerly winds at high altitudes.

Naturally triggered avalanche releases will decrease, but winter sports enthusiasts can still trigger avalanches.