Berchtesgaden Alps

Possibility of wet snow avalanches also on hiking trails that are bare of snow!

Possibility of wet snow avalanches also on hiking trails that are bare of snow!

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Due to rainfall during the course of the day it rises to moderate even below 2000 m. Main problem: wet snow. Wet loose snow avalanches can trigger naturally in steep rocky terrain during the course of the day. Wherever there is still enough snow, in addition possibility of glide snow avalanches triggering naturally in steep terrain with smooth ground. Avalanches are generally small to medium-sized. In addition, fresh snowdrifts can be generated at highest altitudes in N/E aspects during the course of the day. These can be triggered by a single individual as small to medium-sized slabs.

The midday hours of Friday will see the onset of persistent heavy rainfall up to high altitudes which will considerably weaken the already thoroughly moist snowpack, i.e., the snow can release spontaneously in steep terrain. The ground layers of the snowpack are also wet which promotes gliding of the snow masses over smooth ground. Only at highest altitudes will precipitation fall as new snow and will be transported by strong westerly wind. In places, the fresh snowdrifts can be prone to triggering.

The rainfall is associated with a clear decline of the snowpack depths. Over the weekend, the wet snow problem will decrease further.