Werdenfels Alps

New snow and snowdrifts prone to triggering in particular higher up

New snow and snowdrifts prone to triggering in particular higher up

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is considerable; below that altitude it is moderate. Main problem: new snow and snowdrifts. These can be triggered even by the weight of one sole skier. This applies in particular to steep slopes in all aspects, especially above 1800 m close to ridgelines. Avalanches are mostly medium-sized, but when sweeping along the old snowpack at high altitude they can in isolated cases grow to large size. Avalanche prone locations increase in size and frequency with ascending altitude. In addition, the new snow can also release spontaneously as wet or slab avalanches. On smooth ground, small to medium-sized glide snow avalanches are also possible.

Over the last few days up to half a meter of new snow has fallen widespread at higher altitudes, locally even more. On Saturday mostly no precipitation before the afternoon. Both within the new snow and the snowdrifts of the last few days as well as at transitions to the old snowpack there are frequently thin soft layers which are prone to triggering. At high altitudes the old snowpack is otherwise by and large compact and stable; at intermediate altitudes it is wet down to the ground. At intermediate altitudes the new snow, too, will become moist again.

Further precipitation is forecast, the avalanche situation will therefore remain tense.