Chiemgau Alps East

Heed dangers of being swept along by small avalanches and of falling

Heed dangers of being swept along by small avalanches and of falling

Avalanche danger is low. Main problem: gliding snow. It is possible that mostly small glide snow avalanches release spontaneously on very steep slopes over smooth ground. As a consequence of heat penetration it is in addition to be expected that wet loose snow avalanches trigger naturally in extremely steep rocky and rugged terrain. In steep terrain avalanches can even be triggered by a single person enganged in wintersports. Avalanches tend to be small. Likelihood of isolated snowdrifts at ridge and summit levels triggerable as small slab avalanches by a single person engaged in wintersports.

Loose snow is extensively transported all day by heavy southerly wind. In many places the snowdrifts are deposited atop a moist old snowpack surface, at higher ridge and summit altitudes in places also on soft intermediate layers that are prone to triggering. Due to the mild temperatures the snow moistens fast and forfeits its firmness. The old snowpack is predominantly thoroughly wet. All in all it is compact and, by and large, stable. The wet snowpack base promotes gliding of the snowpack over steep slopes with smooth ground. There is barely any snow left below 1500 m.

Temperatures will drop by the weekend and there will be snowfall. Danger of dry avalanches increases.