Werdenfels Alps

Avalanches can get big.

Avalanches can get big.

The avalanche risk is considerable above 1800 metres and moderate below that. The main problem is the new fallen snow of the last few days. Loose snow avalanches release themselves from the sunlit, rocky steep terrain. Slab avalanches can also be triggered with little additional load. This is particularly possible in shady steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines, behind slope discontinuities and in gullies and bowls. Avalanches can become large, in particular if they break through to deeper weak layers in the old snow pack.

On very steep, sunny meadow slopes, individual medium-sized gliding avalanches can detach themselves.

The new fallen snow that has fallen in the last few days (up to one metre in the higher elevations) has already settled a little and is covering some large snowdrift accumulations. Weak intermediate layers and graupel are embedded within the new snow pack. In windward areas, the new fallen snow is bound and prone to triggering. On shady slopes at high altitudes, layers of faceted crystals have been preserved in the underlying old snowpack. These are difficult to disturb. In the sun, the snow becomes moist on the surface and begins to ball up. Where the snow has fallen onto the apery ground, the base of the snowpack is moist to wet. Sliding movements on smooth ground are to be expected.

The weather is changeable, the avalanche situation remains critical.