Werdenfels Alps

Snow profile analysis sensible to assess individual slopes!

Snow profile analysis sensible to assess individual slopes!

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. The predominant problem are still weak layers underneath the old accumulated snowdrift masses from the stormy precipitation phase. This app.lies in particular to steep shady slopes. Isolated slab avalanches can be triggered by a single person engaged in winter sports, in particular in areas where snow is shallow such as at entry points into steep gullies. Size and frequency of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. Avalanches can be large sized in isolated cases at high altitudes. In addition, small to medium-sized wet snow avalanches can release spontaneously in extremely steep sun-drenched terrain. Another danger are small glide snow avalanches on steep slopes with smooth ground. Glide cracks indicate danger spots.

In many places, a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads forms during the night which thaws again during the course of the day. As a result of solar radiation, the uppermost layers are becoming thoroughly moist. Furthermore, in some places more deeply embedded weak layers can still release as slab avalanches, in particular at higher altitudes. In many places a layer consisting of large crystals is found both at ground level and in the upper half of the snowpack which is still surprisingly trigger-sensitive in a few spots, although there is no longer a marked tendency to fracturing in snow profile analyses. The snowpack is stable in many places and moist at the base which promotes gliding movements and increases glide snow activity. On sunny slopes the ground is becoming bare up to high intermediate altitudes.

The old snow problem will gradually recede; wet snow will become more of an issue.