Chiemgau Alps East

Snowdrift accumulations are easy to trigger.

Snowdrift accumulations are easy to trigger.

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is wind slab avalanches. Slab avalanches can be triggered even with a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines on steep slopes of all aspects, behind slope discontinuities and in gullies and bowls, but also occasionally in forest aisles and clearings. They increase in number and size with altitude. Avalanches reach medium size above the tree line. Cracks in the snowpack indicate the danger. Above 1800 m, avalanches on very steep shady slopes can also tear through to deeper weak layers in the old snowpack.

It has snowed around 10-20 centimetres in the last few days, even more in congested areas. The snow has been heavily transported by stormy winds from the west. The fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. They lie on soft layers of snow or surface hoar. In the upper part of the old snowpack, layers prone to triggering are embedded in thin layers of harsh snow in places. Above 1800 m, on shady slopes, there are deeper weak layers of faceted crystals in the snowpack. The snow depths vary greatly across the terrain due to the strong winds.

The avalanche situation remains tense.