Ammergau Alps North

Snowdrifts increase in frequency with ascending altitude

Snowdrifts increase in frequency with ascending altitude

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Snowdrifts are problematic. Fresh and older snowdrifts can trigger a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche by minimum additional loading in some places. Danger zones occur in steep east and south-facing terrain, as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, and tend to increase with ascending altitude. Releases are mostly small-sized. In isolated cases on very steep slopes where the ground is smooth, small glide-snow avalanches can unleash. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

The forecast snowfall will be deposited on south-facing slopes atop a slightly melt-freeze encrusted surface, on shady slopes atop a softened surface. In the western and high-altitude regions the snowfall will be heavier. Westerly winds will accompany it. Particularly in summit and pass areas, large-sized snowdrifts will accumulate which will be deposited on top of soft layers. Inside the old snowpack are melt-freeze crusts which become less marked with ascending altitude. In some places a trigger-sensitive layer of faceted crystals has formed near the crusts, particularly on north-facing slopes at higher altitudes. The snowpack base at low altitudes is often moist, sometimes wet, which tends to further the gliding movement of the entire snowpack over smooth ground.

The activity of wet avalanches will increase with the rising temperatures, snowdrifts will consolidate.