Allgäu Alps Central

Large-scale snowdrift accumulations extremely trigger-sensitive.

Large-scale snowdrift accumulations extremely trigger-sensitive.

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is considerable; below that altitude it is moderate. Main problem: the snowdrifts of the last few days. Slab avalanches of medium size can be triggered by minimum additional loading, i.e., by one sole person engaged in wintersports. Avalanche prone locations are found starting from forest transition zones and in particular above 1800 m on many steep slopes adjacent to ridgelines in N/E/SW aspects, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind protuberances. Size and frequency of the danger zones increase with ascending altitude. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small to medium-sized glide snow avalanches can release spontaneously. It is also possible that small loose snow avalanches release naturally in steep rocky terrain due to solar radiation.

A few centimeters of loose fresh snow are blanketing a wind-impacted and partly icy old snowpack, and in places large-scale snowdrift accumulations. Embedded in them are trigger-sensitive boundary layers consisting of faceted crystals that were able to form while precipitation paused. At higher altitudes and on shady slopes the snowpack base is very compact. At lower altitudes and on sunny slopes up to half a meter of powdery snow is found directly the wet ground.

Due to solar radiation and calm weather the avalanche danger will slowly decrease in the next few days.