Werdenfels Alps

Circumvent fresh drifts at high altitudes

Circumvent fresh drifts at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts are the main problem. From place to place, small slab avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found in steep ridgeline terrain in N/E aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. As a consequence of solar radiation small loose snow avalanches can in addition be released in steep rocky terrain. At intermediate altitudes small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground.

Weak to moderate winds accumulated small-scale snowdrifts at high altitude. Starting from timberline altitude, weak layers that are prone to triggering are from place to place still embedded in the snowdrifts. At intermediate altitude the new snow and snowdrifts have bonded well with the moist old snowpack surface. At high altitudes the bonding is poorer, especially on the shady side. At intermediate altitudes the old snowpack is thoroughly moist, frequently wet at the ground. Caused by solar radiation even the new snow will become moist as the day progresses. Up to the timberline in south aspects the new fallen snow is mainly deposited on bare ground.

Avalanche danger levels will recede slowly.