Allgäu Alps West

Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone

Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone

Fresh snow and snowdrifts are the main danger, often hard to recognize. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, behind discontinuities and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and increase with ascending altitude. A small-to-medium slab avalanche or loose-snow avalanche can be triggered by 1 person (sometimes larger). Activities in backcountry demand experience in outlying terrain and the ability to assess avalanche dangers on-site. Naturally triggered small slab and loose-snow avalanches in rocky steep terrain are possible. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger below 2600 m at any time of day or night and reach large size. Caution urged below glide cracks.

Fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts lie deposited on high-altitude shady slopes atop soft layers or atop older snowdrifts on high-altitude shady slopes, otherwise atop a hard old snowpack surface. Intermittently strong S/SW winds have generated new drifts. Bonding deteriorates with ascending altitude. Weak trigger-prone layers are evident inside the fresh snowdrift accumulations. Warm ground and the wet snowpack base reinforce the gliding movements of the entire snowpack. Frequent glide-snow avalanches have been reported.

Nocturnal hours: Gray skies, occasional rain/snow showers, snowfall level at 1000 m. Sunday daytime: Quite sunny weather. In the Rätikon and Silvretta, some clouds could move in from the south. In the Allgäu Alps and on the Arlberg, scattered clouds. Southerly foehn winds above the treeline will be noticeable. At 2000 m: -4 to -2 degrees. Moderate-to-brisk S/SW winds.

Monday will have compact cloud cover, foehn wind, mild temperatures. At high altitudes the loose snow will be transported, and will generate fresh snowdrift accumulations. Danger of dry-snow avalanches could increase regionally. Glide-snow avalanches are still possible.