Chiemgau Alps East

At intermediate altitudes: heed risks of glide-snow avalanches

At intermediate altitudes: heed risks of glide-snow avalanches

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Weak layers are problematic in all aspects. Slab avalanches can trigger even by the weight of one person, especially where the snow is shallow (e.g. edges of wind-loaded gullies). Frequency and size of danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Avalanches can be large sized in isolated cases as high altitudes. Furthermore, very trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will be generated during the daytime in exposed spots particularly at low altitudes, esp. on N/W facing slopes and in wine-exposed terrain on shady slopes, including gullies and bowls. Avalanches will mostly be small, so the danger of injuries outweighs that of being buried.On steep slopes with smooth underground surfaces below at intermediate altitude, in addition, danger of small-to-medium sized glide-snow avalanches threatens. Glide cracks are signals.

In many places at intermediate altitudes surface hoar has formed and the snowpack surface is expansively metamorphosed (faceted). Where at low altitude there is still loose snow after the warmth on Saturday, intensifying easterly winds will form highly trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations. Also the older drifts from the stormy weather phase can trigger slab avalanches from place to place. Isolated reports of whumpf noises and slab events confirm that the persistent weak layer still is with us. In many places the snowpack is stable and, at intermediate altitudes, moist. On typical glide-snow slopes, such avalanches will set in.