Allgäu Alps West

Marked weak layers in old snow!

As the result of a weak cold front, temporarily heavily-cloudy-to-foggy mountain weather, with minor snowfall down to 1500-1800m. Colder than in recent days. In afternoon, improving conditions from the west, sunny intervals. Temperature at 2000m: -1 degree; at 3000m: -7 degrees. Moderate southwesterly winds at high altitudes.

Main danger: the weak snowpack. At higher altitudes, situation for winter sports enthusiasts remains treacherous in seldom-skied terrain.

Marked weak layers in old snow!

In the lowermost part of the snowpack above 2000m there are marked weak layers evident. Wherever the snowpack is melt-freeze encrusted and not capable of bearing loads, avalanches can in places be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast, particularly in little-skied terrain in west-, north-, and east-facing aspects, as well as on steep sunny slopes above 2600m. Danger zones occur especially in spots where the snow is relatively shallow, and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Avalanches can trigger down to deeper layers inside the snowpack and grow to large size. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible despite lower temperatures. Avoid zones below glide cracks in the surface.

On shady slopes at higher altitudes there are large-sized cup-shaped crystals widespread in the lowermost part of the snowpack, without bonding. The deep fresh snow and drifts from last week blanket this poor fundament. During a night of cloudy skies, the snowpack will freeze only poorly, after it softened up during the daytime on Saturday.