Werdenfels Alps

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes and wet snow avalanches during the course of the day

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes and wet snow avalanches during the course of the day

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is moderate; below that altitude it rises from low to moderate during the course of the day. The fresh snowdrifts are the problem: they can in some places be triggered even by the weight of one sole person and release a slab avalanche. Avalanche prone locations are found on steep northwest to north to southeast facing slopes adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in wind-loaded gullies and and bowls. Avalanches can grow to medium size. In addition, the danger of wet avalanches rises at all altitudes during the course of the day. Loose snow, slab and glide snow avalanches release on steep sun-exposed slopes. This is in particular true for steep rocky terrain and steep grass-covered slopes. Size and frequency of such avalanches rise during the course of the day.

The new fallen snow and drifted snow of the last few days has become thoroughly moist below approximately 1800 m; a nocturnal melt-freeze crust can form in leeward terrain under clear skies which softens rapidly on Monday. Spring-like temperatures and sun cause melt water to seep deep into the snowpack during the course of the day which rapidly forfeits its firmness. The water can also accumulate on the melt-freeze crusts embedded within the snowpack and weaken them further. At higher altitudes foehn is generating fresh snowdrift accumulations in north-facing steep ridgeline terrian. Sometimes, weak intermediate layers are embedded in the fresh and also older snowdrift masses. These can be prone to triggering.

In view of precipitations and wind snowdrifts still require caution.