Werdenfels Alps

Beware of snowdrifts at highest altitudes.

Beware of snowdrifts at highest altitudes.

Avalanche danger above 1400 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: wet snow. In very steep terrain, wet loose snow avalanches can release spontaneously or can be triggered by one sole person engaged in winter sports. Avalanche prone locations are sporadically also found in steep forest aisles at lower altitudes. Possibility of glide-snow avalanches on steep smooth grass-covered slopes. Avalanches can grow to medium size. Above the snowfall level fresh snowdrifts will be generated. These can be triggered as slab avalanches by low additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are located on steep NW-N-E facing slopes adjacent to ridgelines as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. At high altitudes, avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the old snowpack and can reach medium-size.

The snowfall level will rise rapidly up to high altitudes. The snowpack surface will become wet due to rainfall and forfeits its firmness. Snowdrifts at highest altitudes are prone to triggering. In shady high altitude terrain there are locally weak layers embedded in the old snowpack consisting of graupel or faceted (expansively metamorphosed) crystals. In isolated cases such weak layers are still prone to triggering. The snowpack base is moist down to the ground, thus enabling gliding movements.