Berchtesgaden Alps

The wind slab of the last few days is often covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise.

The wind slab of the last few days is often covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise.

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is wind slab avalanches. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered in many places with little additional load. The avalanche prone locations are mainly above the tree line in steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in all slope aspects, behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. They become more frequent with increasing altitude.

Smaller gliding avalanches can detach themselves on individual, very steep meadow slopes. Smaller loose snow avalanches come off the steep terrain interspersed with rocks, especially when the sun is shining.

Over the last few days, many prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations have formed. They lie on soft layers of snow and graupel. These layers have not yet been able to consolidate well, especially at higher altitudes. The wind slab is often covered by soft new fallen snow and is difficult to recognise. At higher elevations, weak intermediate layers are embedded in the snowpack in the area of melted snow caps. Deeper layers of faceted crystals are difficult to disturb. Towards the ground, the snow is often wet and can slide off on a smooth surface. With the slight warming and sunshine, the surface snow also quickly becomes moist and heavy.

Slow easing of the drifting snow problem.