Werdenfels Alps

Snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avalanche dangre above 2200 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: snowdrift accumulations. Slab avalanches (small-to-medium) can trigger in some places by 1 person. Danger zones occur in steep rigeline terrain on NW/N/E facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. On very steep smooth slopes, glide-snow avalanches can trigger, releases mostly small. In addition, on extremely steep rough and rocky slopes in all aspects, small wet loose-snow avalanches are possible, triggerable by winter sports enthusiasts in very steep terrain. Beware the dangers of taking a fall.

The snowpack surface is moist, during nights of clear skies it forms a thin melt-freeze crust which rapidly softens during the day if temperatures are mild, becoming moist and forfeiting its firmness. Recent snowdrift accumulations have settled, still trigger-prone on high ridgeline and summit slopes in shady aspects. Dry powder is rare. Amounts of snow on the ground decrease further east. Winds are generateing small trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations. The old snowpack is stable, moist and wet at ground level. Below 1500 m, hardly any snow on the ground, even on north-facing slopes.

The weekend will begin with variably cloudy skies, snowfall level will drop. At high altitudes the danger of dry-snow avalanches will increase somewhat.