Allgäu Alps Central

Beware gliding snow over smooth ground, small snowdrifts

Beware gliding snow over smooth ground, small snowdrifts

Avalanche danger on the Main Allgäu Ridge is moderate. Gliding snow is the main problem. On very steep slopes with smooth ground and grass-covered terrain and forest clearances, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night. Releases mostly medium size. Avoid zones beneath glide cracks. On N/E/SE facing slopes small snowdrift accumulations are forming during the day which can be triggered by 1 skier. Slab avalanche releases are usually small, the risks of falling need consideration. In isolated cases avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and grow to large size. In very steep terrain below 1300 m, small wet-snow slides are possible.

Following a night of partly clear skies the snowpack surface is melt-freeze encrusted and hard and can bear loads, often icy. During the course of the day, precipitation and strong winds will set in from the west. In leeward terrain, small drifts will be generated, deposited atop loose snowpack layers, elsewhere the fluctuating wind velocities will generate soft trigger-prone layers in the snowdrifts and at entries to the old snowpack. In the uppermost part of the snowpack at high altitudes there are expansively metamorphosed layers. The old snowpack is thoroughly wet down to the ground. Gliding movements on slopes with smooth ground are the result. This tendency is being reinforced by recent rainfall up to 1300 m.

Sunny and dry on the weekend. Avalanche danger will recede somewhat.