Allgäu Alps West

Fresh snow and snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone

Fresh snow and snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone

Fresh snow and snowdrifts are the main danger. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, behind discontinuities and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and increase with ascending altitude. A small-to-medium slab avalanche or loose-snow avalanche can be triggered by 1 person (sometimes larger). Activities in backcountry demand experience in outlying terrain and the ability to assess avalanche dangers on-site. Naturally triggered small slab and loose-snow avalanches in rocky steep terrain are possible. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger below 2600 m at any time of day or night and reach large size. Caution urged below glide cracks.

Fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts lie deposited on high-altitude shady slopes atop soft layers or atop older snowdrifts on high-altitude shady slopes, otherwise atop a hard old snowpack surface. Intermittently strong SW/NW winds have generated new drifts. Bonding deteriorates with ascending altitude. Weak trigger-prone layers are evident inside the fresh snowdrift accumulations. Warm ground and the wet snowpack base reinforce the gliding movements of the entire snowpack. Frequent glide-snow avalanches have been reported.

Nocturnal hours: Variably cloudy to heavily overcast skies with intermittent showers. Saturday daytime: Foehn conditions. Sunshine and clouds will alternate. Isolated snow showers and graupel showers cannot be excluded, but will be the exception. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. Moderate-to-brisk S/SW winds.

Sunday will be very pleasant, but cold in the mountains. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Glide-snow avalanches in particular are still possible.