Allgäu Alps West

Fresh snowdrifts on north-facing slopes prone to triggering

Fresh snowdrifts on north-facing slopes prone to triggering

Freshly generated and, in places, older snowdrifts are frequently still prone to triggering, can be triggered as small-to-medium sized slab avalanches. Danger zones occur primarily on steep ridgeline north-facing slopes, behind steep drops in the terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude, in high alpine regions they include west, east-facing slopes as well. If avalanches on high-altitude shady slopes fracture down to deeper weak layers, they can in isolated cases then grow to medium size. Such isolated avalanche prone locations occur in spots where the snow is shallow or in transitions from shallow to deep snow.

Fresh snowdrift accumulations from yesterday lie atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface on north-facing slopes. They are mostly small-sized and shallow, apart from high alpine regions, but will be difficult to recognize on Monday. Somewhat deeper snowdrifsts were generated particularly at high altitudes. On steep south-facing slopes there is often a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads. The mid-level part of the snowpack consists of well-settled, compact layers widespread which on high-altitude shady slopes cover a poorly structured old snowpack fundament.

Following a night of cloudy skies, moist air masses from the north will accumulate in the form of low-lying and intermediate cloud cover extending as far as the Main Alpine Ridge. Intermittent light, minor snowfall is possible from these clouds, snowfall level 800-1300m. Temperature at 2000m: -2 degrees; at 3000m: -8 degrees. Predominantly light to moderate-strength northerly winds at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger not expected to change significantly until Wednesday, due to high-pressure weather conditions.