Werdenfels Alps

Avoid snowdrifts!

Avoid snowdrifts!

Avalanche danger is moderate above the treeline, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh snowdrifts are the main problem. In steep ridgeline terrain on N/E/SW facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls small slab avalanches can be triggered even by one sole winter sports enthusiast. In isolated cases slab avalanches can grow to medium size.

Above the treeline gusty northwesterly wind transports the new snow; in east aspects snowdrift accumulations are growing larger. In places, trigger-sensitive interim layers, partly consisting of graupel, are embedded in the packed snowdrift masses. Where the old snowpack still exists, it is very compact and hard frozen. At lower altitudes the new snow was deposited on bare ground. The snowpack base is wet.

As a consequence of the northern orographic lift and heavy precipitations avalanche danger will continue to rise by the weekend.