Allgäu Alps Central

At higher altitudes there are still snowdrift accumulations that are prone to triggering. Caution: Wet and glide snow avalanches due to mild temperatures.

At higher altitudes there are still snowdrift accumulations that are prone to triggering. Caution: Wet and glide snow avalanches due to mild temperatures.

Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, danger below that altitude is moderate. At higher altitudes the main problem stems from snowdrifts. Avalanche prone locations are located on steep northwest to east up to southeast facing slopes adjacent to ridgelines, distant from ridges behind protuberances as well as in gullies and bowls filled with snowdrifts. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading of a single skier. If avalanches fracture down to more deeply embedded layers they can also grow to large size. Weak intermediate layers in the old snow are typically found in the north sector and can in addition still be triggered in places with little snow such as at the entry into gullies. Size and frequency of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. With temperatures rising mostly medium-sized wet and glide snow avalanches can be expected in steep rocky terrain and on smooth grass-covered slopes. Wet and glide snow activities increase during the course of the day.

Intensifying wind transports the 20 to 30 cm of new snow fallen on Tuesday and Wednesday and generates snowdrift accumulations that are prone to triggering. These are partly deposited atop loose snow layers or small snowdrifts of Tuesday which are also prone to triggering. Embedded in the old snowpack are locally also faceted crystals underneath a melt-freeze crust. The weak layer becomes more pronounced with ascending altitude and in some places it is dangerously near the upper surface. The danger is undetectable above the snowpack. The mild temperatures and at times rain are thoroughly moistening the snowpack up to intermediate altitudes thus making it forfeit its firmness. It is often wet down to the ground which promotes gliding of the snow masses.

Temperatures remain mild and wind is becoming increasingly brisk. At lower altitudes the wet snow problem continues to be predominant and at higher altitudes the snowdrift problem.