Allgäu Alps East

Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind. Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind. Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

The extensive wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The prevalence of such avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate deep layers and reach quite a large size. This applies in particular on very steep north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes.

Over a wide area 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until midday. The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs that are being formed by the moderate to strong northwesterly wind will be deposited on a weakly bonded old snowpack especially on north and east facing slopes. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on a crust on steep sunny slopes and generally at low and intermediate altitudes. Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack at high altitude.

As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate. The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.