Werdenfels Alps

Possibility of isolated avalanches in old snow and glide snow.

Possibility of isolated avalanches in old snow and glide snow.

Avalanche danger is moderate above 2000 m, below that altitude danger is low. Above 1800 m isolated weak layers are embedded in the old snowpack in areas covered by wind transported snow and in gullies and bowls with ample snow. They can partly be triggered by one single person. Avalanches are small, in isolated cases medium-sized. Frequency and size of the danger zones increase with ascending altitude.Small wet loose snow avalanches possible in steep rocky terrain. In addition, small, up to higher altitudes also isolated medium-sized, glide snow avalanches can trigger naturally on steep smooth grass-covered slopes.

Due to mild temperatures the shallow snowpack moistens from the top and forfeits its firmness. Gliding movements of the snow masses are promoted. In south aspects the ground is becoming bare again at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of warming, the layers within the snowpack bonded increasingly. Only in the old snowpack at higher altitudes have some weak layers consisting of faceted crystals persisted.

By Thursday, the snowpack will have further stabilized.