Chiemgau Alps East

Dangerous combination: snowdrift accumulations and persistent weak layer

Dangerous combination: snowdrift accumulations and persistent weak layer

Avalanche danger in the Bavarian Alps above 1500 m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Main problem: numerous freshly generated snowdrift accumulations. Danger zones are found particularly in steep ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations occur also in zones distant from ridgelines behind protruberances and in wind-loaded forest lanes, where one sole skier can trigger a slab avalanche with ease. Frequency and size of danger zones increase with ascending altitude. In addition, inside the old snowpack are layers which are prone to triggering, particularly at high altitudes in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Superficially triggered avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers. Particularly then, the releases can grow to large size.

Accompanied by storm strength winds from the west, precipitation will set in which will then persist all day long on Monday. Fresh, far-reaching snowdrift accumulations will be generated, deposited on a snowpack surface with only few variations over small spaces. Bonding to the melt-freeze encrusted layers and powdery snow is poor, the drifts are prone to triggering. Furthermore inside the old snow in all aspects are often faceted crystals near thin melt-freeze crusts. These weak layer are pronounced at high altitudes and, depending on wind impact, can lie near to the surface or deeper down beneath thick snowdrift layers. Below 1500 m the snowbase is compact and largely stable.

Avalanche danger will gradually recede over the next few days amid stable high-pressure front weather.