Werdenfels Alps

Assess snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes with caution

Assess snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes with caution

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Older snowdrift accumulations are the main problem. In isolated cases, snowdrifts can be triggered by large additional loading, e.g. a group without distances. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain on NW/N/NE facing slopes, their frequency increases with ascending altitude, releases of medium size are possible. Gliding snow requires attentiveness. On steep smooth slopes, glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in all aspects, reaching medium size at high altitudes. The daytime danger of small wet-snow avalanches is also a threat on very steep rocky slopes.

At night a melt-freeze crust forms. At lower altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly moist. Above 1800 m on shady slopes there is still powder. Here small snowdrift accumulations can be generated by S/W winds which will be deposited atop loose powder or surface hoar, in either case prone to triggering. Increasing cloud cover and warm temperatures are making the snowpack wetter also on shady slopes. Little or now snow on the ground well into intermediate altitudes.

Avalanche danger levels will recede in the next few days.