Werdenfels Alps

Assess fresh snowdrifts at high altitude with caution!

Assess fresh snowdrifts at high altitude with caution!

Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts are the main problem. Isolated medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered even by minor additional loading. 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 bowls. Frequency and size increase with ascending altitude. Small glide-snow avalanches can also trigger naturally on very steep intermediate altitude slopes with smooth ground, in all places with sufficient snow.

Up to 25 centimeters of new fallen snow will be transported by westerly and northerly winds. Snowdrift accumulations can contain intermediate layers that are prone to triggering. At intermediate altitude the new snow has bonded well with the moist old snowpack surface. Up to approx. 2000m the snow base is thoroughly moist and often wet at the ground. At high altitude a layer consisting of faceted crystals persists at the old snowpack surface on the shady side which can constitute a weak layer for slab avalanches. Up to the timberline in south aspects the new fallen snow is mainly deposited on bare ground.

Avalanche danger levels will recede slowly.