Allgäu Alps Central

Isolated fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations at high altitude

Isolated fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations at high altitude

Avalanche danger is low. Main problem: the snowdrifts. Fresh, small accumulations can be triggered even by the weight of one single skier. Some avalanche prone locations are located above 1800 m in steep ridgeline terrain in N/E/S aspects and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Triggered slab avalanches are small, the risks of taking a fall require attentiveness. At intermediate altitudes, glide-snow avalanches can unleash naturally at any time of day or night in forest clearances or on smooth grass-covered slopes which have not yet discharged. Slopes with glide cracks should be circumvented. Isolated avalanches can grow to medium size.

Snow showers will generate fresh drifts at high altitudes, bonding will be poor on the melt-freeze encrusted surface. All in all, the old snowpack has settled well, and consolidated. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet down to the ground and has noticeably receded in volume. At high altitudes, isolated older snowdrift accumulations persist and can be triggered. At ground level there are faceted crystals on shady slopes above 2200 m. Below 1400 m there is little snow on the ground.

Instable weather with westerly winds will raise avalanche danger at mid-week. Currently, smooth hard snowpack surfaces prevail particularly on north-facing slopes, creating a danger of falling.