Werdenfels Alps

Beware of wet snow avalanches, in particular

Beware of wet snow avalanches, in particular

Avalanche danger is moderate. Main problem: wet snow. Wet loose snow and slab avalanches as well as glide snow avalanches can trigger naturally in all aspects in steep rocky terrain, in forests with sparse trees or on smooth grass-covered slopes that have not yet discharged. Avalanches are small to medium-sized. At highest summit altitudes, snowdrift accumulations can in particular be triggered by large additional loading. Some avalanche prone locations are found in steep ridgeline terrain in all aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind protuberances in the terrain. Slab avalanches that release are mostly medium-sized.

With skies partly clear during the night the snowpack surface has somewhat consolidated. Mild temperatures and solar radiation will soften the snowpack surface again swiftly on Friday and will result in another loss of firmness. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is wet down to the ground and has strongly receded. At highest altitudes, snowdrift accumulations persist that are still prone to triggering. These were deposited atop hard wind or melt-freeze crusts or atop a few centimeters of loose new snow. Close to the ground, partly faceted crystals still persist on shady slopes above 2200 m. Below 1400 m there is hardly any snow on the ground.

The upcoming nights with outgoing longwave radiation will lead to a quick consolidation of the snowpack and the avalanche situation will ease up.