Chiemgau Alps East

Snowdrifts prone to triggering near ridgelines. Beware risk of taking a fall.

Snowdrifts prone to triggering near ridgelines. Beware risk of taking a fall.

Avalanche danger in the Bavarian Alps is moderate above the treeline, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: the snowdrift accumulations which in places can be triggered even by minimum additional loading (1 person). Danger zones occur on steep slopes in all aspects, they increase both in size and in frequency with ascending altitude. On steep grass-covered slopes and in wooded zones in all aspects, glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Glide cracks are indicators of threatening danger.

Amid gusty winds from varying directions, fresh snowdrifts will accumulate on Thursday night which are very prone to triggering since they will be deposited atop soft powder snow, also atop surface hoar. The above-average snow depths have settled well and are setable. At intermediate and low altitudes the snowpack base is frequently wet; the result: it glides over the grassy slopes.

Due to intensifying winds on Saturday the snowdrift problem will become more acute.