Chiemgau Alps East

At intermediate altitude snowpack completely penetrated by moisture

At intermediate altitude snowpack completely penetrated by moisture

Avalanche danger above 1500 m is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: wet snow. Due to rain naturally triggering wet loose snow and slab avalanches can be expected in steep terrain that has not yet discharged. Avalanches are mostly medium-sized, although isolated avalanches can grow to large size. On steep smooth grassy slopes the snowpack can also slide over the ground, especially where the ground has been bare before the recent snowfall. Glide snow avalanches can grow to medium size. In addition, even a single person engaged in snow sports can trigger fresh snowdrifts as slab avalanches at high altitude. Avalanche prone locations are found in particular in steep ridglineline terrain in N/E/SW aspects, but also behind abrupt changes in the terrain distant from ridgelines as well as in freshly wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Avalanches are mostly medium-sized.

At high altitude strong westerly winds transport the fresh snow and continuously generate small, but trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations. Weak intermediate layers embedded in older snowdrift accumulations are gradually bonding. However, they can still be triggered at transitions from deep to shallow snow. At intermediate altitude rainfall intensively soaks the snowpack. As a consequence the snowpack forfeits its firmness at the boundary layers and at the ground. In north aspects the ground has become almost entirely bare below 1400 m, in south aspects up to higher altitudes.

The next few days will be variable. The snowfall level will descent to intermediate altitudes. Winds will be brisk. Avalanche danger will slowly recede.