Chiemgau Alps East

Heed snowdrifts and wet snow.

Heed snowdrifts and wet snow.

Avalanche danger is moderate. Main problem: snowdrifts which can still be triggered by a single skier as slab avalanches, in particular above the timberline in steep ridgeline terrain in N/E/SE aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Avalanches attain medium size. Avalanche prone locations are often blanketed by new fallen snow and difficult to recognize. They tend to increase in frequency and size with ascending altitude. In addition, superficial small to medium-sized moist and wet loose snow avalanches can trigger naturally in very steep zones in all aspects. On smooth ground, small to medium-sized glide snow avalanches are also possible.

The last few days saw between 20 cm and 40 cm of snowfall. By Sunday another 10 cm to 20 cm will have added, slightly less in the eastern Bavarian Alpine region. At higher altitudes the snow was transported by westerly wind. Both within the new snow and the snowdrifts as well as at transitions to the old snowpack there are frequently thin soft layers that formed in the interims of snowfall and due to changing wind velocities. These are prone to triggering. Otherwise the old snowpack is wet down to the ground. The new snow will also become moist again up to intermediate altitude and is weakened by slight warming and partly rainfall.

As warming progresses wet snow will become the predominant problem again at the beginning of the week.