Werdenfels Alps

Increasing sink-in depths in the terrain indicate a softening of the snowpack.

Increasing sink-in depths in the terrain indicate a softening of the snowpack.

Avalanche danger below 2000m is moderate; above it rises from low to moderate during the course of the day. The predominant avalanche problem is wet snow. Since temperatures are rising during the course of the day, small to medium-sized wet loose snow avalanches can release naturally mainly in the afternoon in steep rocky terrain in all aspects. It is in addition possible that glide snow avalanches start gliding over the smooth ground on steep grass-covered slopes and in forest clearances which can grow to large size in isolated cases.

Especially at intermediate altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly moist down to the ground. Since the night will be cloudy only a thin melt-freeze crust can form at intermediate altitudes which softens swiftly during the day. When softening the snowpack forfeits its firmness and bonding. Frequently even the snowpack base has become wet which promotes gliding of the snowpack. At high altitudes the temperatures are cooler and therefore the melt-free crusts keep a bit longer. At highest summit altitudes, small-scale snowdrifts can still be triggerable. On sunny slopes the ground is almost bare up to about 1400m.

As a consequence of high pressure weather there will be a clear wet snow avalanche danger cycle in the next few days with favorable conditions in the morning.