Werdenfels Alps

Snowdrifts partly covered by new snow and therefore difficult to recognize.

Due to milder temperatures trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will consolidate.

Snowdrifts partly covered by new snow and therefore difficult to recognize.

Avalanche danger above the timberline is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. The main problem is fresh snow which can be triggered as small slab avalanches by minimum additonal loading. Avalanche prone locations are found in steep terrain both close to and distant from ridgelines as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In rare cases slab avalanches can grow to large size. In extremely steep terrain new snow can release naturally as medium-sized loose snow avalanches in all aspects. In addition, medium-sized glide snow avalanches can trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground.

Some places have seen some 40cm of new snow since yesterday. A bit more snow will fall during the night accompanied by heavy southwesterly winds. Weak layers in the new snow as well as fresh and partly extensive snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. In particular on shady side slopes snowdrifts were deposited atop a soft layer. In some places at high altitude there are still weak layers consisting of faceted crystals close to the snowpack surface. As a consequence of solar radiation the snowpack surface is becoming moist and forfeits its firmness. On south-facing intermediate altitude slopes the new snow fell on warm, partly wet ground which enables gliding movements of the snowpack.