Werdenfels Alps

Beware snowdrifts at highest altitudes

Beware snowdrifts at highest altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2200 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: snowdrift accumulations. These can be triggered by one sole skier. Avalanche prone locations occur in steep ridgeline terrain on NW/N/NE facing slopes and in wind-loaded gulles and bowls. In isolated cases avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the old snowpack and grow to medium size. Wet loose-snow avalanches can be triggered in very steep terrain by one sole skier. Loose-snow avalanches tend to be small sized. Possibility of medium-sized glide-snow avalanches on steep smooth grass-covered slopes.

Due to dry winds, thin melt-freeze crusts can form on the surface in exposed terrain. The uppermost 10-15 cm of the snowpack is slightly moist to moist up to high altitudes, often really wet. At high altitudes, large snowdrift accumulations have formed which are often prone to triggering. Weak layers inside the old snowpack have consolidated in the interim and are trigger-sensitive only in isolated cases. The snowpack base is moist-to-wet down to the ground. Gliding snow movements are possible.

Weather remains variable. Not much precipitation anticipated, little change expected.