Werdenfels Alps

Partly also dangerously large wet avalanches expected due to warmer temperatures.

Partly also dangerously large wet avalanches expected due to warmer temperatures.

Avalanche danger above 1500 m is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Main danger: wet snow which at higher altitudes can trigger naturally as wet loose snow or slab avalanche in very steep terrain. In addition, glide snow avalanches can release on steep slopes with smooth ground - glide cracks indicate danger zones. Avalanches are mostly medium-sized; at high altitude isolated avalanches can grow to large size. At higher altitudes, old snow can also be a problem in some places. Isolated medium-sized slab avalanches can trigger in N/E/S aspects, in particular by large additional loading. Be especially careful in steep ridgeline terrain and wind-loaded gullies and bowls.

As a consequence of mild temperatures and hazy clouds, usually only a thin nocturnal melt-freeze crusts will form. At lower altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly moist or wet and will hardly stabilize. Even at high altitudes the sun softens the melt-freeze crust again in the morning. The snowpack is becoming increasingly moist here, too, and forfeits its firmness. At higher altitudes the snowpack dating from the time before the precipitations of the last week is firm and compact. At transitions to the new snow and snowdrifts of the last week there are sometimes soft layers that are prone to triggering. If melt water seeps down to them, wet slab avalanches can trigger naturally. In many places at low and intermediate altitudes water accumulates and is retained at the ground which promotes gliding movements of the snowpack. Below 1500 m there is hardly any snow left, even on the shady side.

Avalanche danger changes little.