Werdenfels Alps

Weak layers often evident in near-surface old snow

Weak layers often evident in near-surface old snow

Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, danger is low below that altitude. Fresh and older snowdrifts can trigger a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche by minimum additional loading in some places. Danger zones occur in steep terrain all aspects and are often difficult to recognize. Avalanches can in rare cases grow to medium size. In addition, small moist loose-snow avalanches can trigger in extremely steep rocky terrain.

A few centimetres of powder snow blanket older snowdrifted masses. These drifts lie at 1800-2200m atop a melt-freeze crust which formed last Friday which is capable of bearing loads, under which a trigger-sensitve layer of faceted crystals has formed in some places. In addition, inside the old snowdrifted masses there are often weak intermediate layers. The old snowpack fundament is varyingly thick, in exposed zones it is often lacking completely. At intermediate altitudes the fundament is often moist. On the surface at intermediate altitudes, a thin melt-freeze crust will form at night on sunny slopes, then be melted again once sunshine strikes tomorrow.

Avalanche danger levels are expected to slowly recede.