Werdenfels Alps

Avalanche prone locations are often covered in snow and difficult to recognise.

Avalanche prone locations are often covered in snow and difficult to recognise.

The avalanche risk is considerable above 1800 metres and moderate below that. The main problem is the new and wind slab snow of the last few days. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered in many places with little additional load. The avalanche prone locations are in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects of the slope, behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. They become more frequent with increasing altitude. Self-triggering of medium loose snow avalanches is possible from steep terrain interspersed with rocks, especially when the sun is shining.

On very steep meadow slopes and in sparse mountain forests, small and medium-sized gliding avalanches can release themselves.

Over the last few days, many prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations have formed. They lie on weak layers of soft snow and graupel. These layers become more prone to triggering with increasing altitude. In addition, the wind slab is often covered with snow and difficult to recognise. At higher altitudes, there are weak layers in the area of melting snow caps in places. Low-lying layers of faceted crystals are difficult to disturb. Towards the ground, the snow is often wet and can slide off on slippery surfaces. With the slight warming and sun, the surface snow also quickly becomes moist and heavy.

Slow decline in the drift snow problem.