Werdenfels Alps

Close to ridges snowdrifts prone to triggering

Close to ridges snowdrifts prone to triggering

At high altitudes avalanche danger is moderate, elsewhere it is low. Main problem: fresh snowdrifts. At high altitudes these can be triggered as medium-sized slab avalanches even by one individual. Avalanche prone locations are found mostly adjacent to ridgelines in steep N/E facing terrain as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with ascending altitude during the course of the day on Thursday. Furthermore, weak layers embedded in the old snowpack can be triggered easiest, if at all, by large additional loading and at transitions from deep to shallow snow, e.g., at entries into steep gullies and bowls. Adjacent to ridgelines avalanches can grow to intermediate size on the odd steep north or east facing slope with plenty of snow; otherwise the danger of taking a fall outweighs that of being buried in snow masses.

The below average old snowpack has generally settled well and consolidated. Following new snow and strong westerly winds fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated at high altitude, in particular during the course of the day on Thursday. These bond only poorly with the encrusted old snowpack surface and are therefore trigger-sensitive. In some places, weak layers consisting of faceted crystals persist in the old snowpack on shady slopes. However, these are not likely to trigger and it is hard to imagine that fractures will propagate over a large area. The snowfall level limit is 1800m; below that altitude rainfall prevails. Snow patches remaining at intermediate altitude are mostly encrusted and soften due to the rain. Below 1400m the ground has become widespread bare of snow.

The avalanche situation will ease up again during the weekend due to mild weather and sunshine.