Werdenfels Alps

Fresh snowdrifts very prone to triggering at high altitude

Fresh snowdrifts very prone to triggering at high altitude

Avalanche danger above the treeline will increase from moderate to considerable during the day. Fresh snowdrifts are the main problem. Slab avalanches of small-to-medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading in places, i.e. from one sole skier. Avalanche prone locations are found above the treeline in steep ridgeline terrain in N/E/S aspects, in freshly wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind/below protruberances. With ascending altitude, danger zones tend to increase and thus, avalanches can be larger.

On Saturday night and during the daytime on Sunday, repeated bouts of snowfall are expected, accompanied by occasionally stormy westerly winds. These will generate fresh small snowdrift accumulations anew which will be deposited on top of older snowdrifts or loose snowpack layers and be prone to triggering. At high altitudes the snowpack fundament is melt-freeze encrusted and stable. Crests and ridges are windblown. At low altitudes and on sunny slopes, powder snow covers the ground.

Quiet winter weather. Avalanche danger will gradually diminish over the next few days.