Chiemgau Alps East

Heed small trigger-sensitive snowdrifts at higher altitudes. In the afternoon, rain will cause the snowpack to become even wetter.

Heed small trigger-sensitive snowdrifts at higher altitudes. In the afternoon, rain will cause the snowpack to become even wetter.

Above the timberline, the avalanche danger is moderate, at lower altitudes it increases from low to moderate during the course of the day. The main problem are snowdrifts, but will shift to wet snow in the afternoon. Above the timberline, stormy winds are generating small snowdrift accumulations. The snowdrifts can be triggered easily in steep terrain in all expositions as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. The avalanches tend to be small. In the afternoon, the snowdrifts are becoming moist again.Mainly in the afternoon, wet snow and glide snow avalanches can release spontaneously where there is still enough snow in steep rocky terrain, in steep forest aisles or on smooth grass-covered slopes which have not yet discharged.

Above 1200m, the new snow (approx. 10 centimeters) is transported by storm-strength westerly wind. Trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations are generated that are deposited atop hard wind or melt-freeze crusts; at higher altitude also atop a few centimeters of loose snow. On shady slopes, layers consisting of expansively metamorphosed (faceted) poorly bonded crystals are found locally underneath wind or melt-freeze crusts.Due to rainfall up to the summit regions in the afternoon the snowdrift accumulations are becoming moist again and the snowpack which is already thoroughly wet down to the ground weakens increasingly. Bordering the ground the snowpack is in many places moist to wet which enhances gliding movements of the snow masses, in particular if additionally rain runs off through open glide cracks.

Mild temperatures and heavy rainfall up to high altitudes are forecast for Thursday. The wet snow problem will persist