Chiemgau Alps East

Conditions are relatively stable

Conditions are relatively stable

Low avalanche danger prevails in the Bavarian Alps. Intermediate layers which are prone to triggering inside the old snowpack are the main problem. Slabs of medium size can trigger by large additional loading in isolated cases on extremely steep slopes, particularly on shady slopes above 2000 m where the snow is shallow, e.g. at entries to gullies and bowls. At intermediate altitudes in all aspects, wet snow require caution. Avalanches are generally small-sized and can trigger naturally in steep rocky terrain and on smooth grass-covered slopes where there is enough snow on the ground and where no avalanches have yet discharged. The problem of wet glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches will intensify somewhat over the next few days.

At high altitudes as a result of minor precipitation and strong westerly winds, fresh small-sized snowdrift patches will be generated. These will be deposited on top of a melt-freeze encrusted and largely stable old snowpack surface. Beneath the wind-crusts and melt-freeze crusts, layers of expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystals have formed in shady terrain at high altitudes which are prone to triggering, since towards ground level the faceted layers have persisted. As a result of higher temperatures, a bit of rainfall and lack of nocturnal outgoing radiation the snowpack at intermediate altitudes will become moist on the surface, nevertheless remain compact and stable for the most part.

Weather in the next few days will be instable and wet. Only minor amounts of precipitation are expected, so the avalanche danger will not change significantly.