Allgäu Alps West

Main danger: fresh snowdrifts and persistent weak layer

Main danger: fresh snowdrifts and persistent weak layer

Fresh snowdrifts are prone to triggering particularly in ridgeline zones, but also distant from ridgelines, wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Avalanche prone locations increase in number and size with ascending altitude. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole winter sports enthusiast on steep, little-tracked slopes. Above 2400 m on steep shady slopes there are unfavourable layers in the old snowpack. Activities in backcountry demand experience in avalanche danger assessment on-site. In steep rocky terrain the fresh snow can trigger small to medium loose-snow and slab avalanches.

The loose fresh snow was transported by strong easterly winds, drifts now lie deposited in ridgeline and pass areas, often lie deposited atop loose and soft layers, on older drifted masses or atop melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack surfaces. Bonding to the old snowpack deteriorates with ascending altitude. At high altitudes on steep shady slopes in particular, there are still weak layers deeply embedded inside the snowpack which are not visible to the naked eye.

Nocturnal hours: in the early part of the night, snow showers are still possible, later skies will clear. Monday: sunny until afternoon, adequate visibility, clouds will move in later on, the light become more diffuse. Peaks from Arlberg to Silvretta will be in fog. At 2000 m: -8 degrees. Strong to stormy easterly winds.

On Tuesday, increasingly sunny. Temperatures will rise noticeably. Strong easterly winds will transport the snow at high altitudes. Avalanche danger will decrease gradually at high altitude.