Berchtesgaden Alps

New fallen snow triggers as loose snow avalanches in steep rocky terrain.

New fallen snow triggers as loose snow avalanches in steep rocky terrain.

Avalanche danger above 1600 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. New fallen snow is problematic and can trigger spontaneously as loose snow avalanches in steep terrain in all aspects. For the time being avalanches will remain mostly small. In addition, a single person can release a small slab avalanche. This is applies in particular to steep high altitude slopes adjacent to ridgelines. Frequency and size of the releases increase as the day progresses.

At intermediate altitude the fresh snow is deposited atop a patchy, encrusted but stable old snowpack, in south aspects atop bare ground. At higher altitudes the fresh snow is deposited atop soft snow layers, especially on the shady side. Bonding of new snow and old snowpack is partly poor, making it prone to triggering. On exposed ridges, the new fallen snow will be bonded slab-like by northerly winds. However, winds are too weak to transport larger quantities. Near the ground, the snowpack is wet and rough-grained.

Heavy snowfalls are forecast and with the onset of wind avalanche danger could increase further over the next few days.