Werdenfels Alps

Individual glide snow avalanches can grow to large size. In some patches at high altitude snowdrifts are prone to triggering.

Individual glide snow avalanches can grow to large size. In some patches at high altitude snowdrifts are prone to triggering.

Above 1500 m, avalanche danger in the Werdenfels Alps and in the Berchtesgade Alps is moderate; below that altitude it is low. Main problem: gliding snow. Glide snow avalanches can trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground, in all places with still enough snow. Avalanches attain medium size. Glide cracks are red flags of this risk. In addition, in some places fresh snowdrifts can be triggered by minimum additional loading such as by a single skier. Avalanche prone locations occur in steep east-facing ridgeline terrain above 2200 m as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can reach medium size. In addition, small loose snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep terrain as a result of solar radiation.

At high altitude, older snowdrift accumulations in leeward zones are blanketed by fresh snowdrifts. In some places there are weak intermediate layers embedded. Up to high altitudes the snowpack is completely wet/soaked. The consequence are gliding movements of the snowpack on steep slopes with smooth ground such as in forests, on grass or on smooth rock slabs. At lower altitudes the small quantities of new snow cover the previously bare ground.

As temperatures become milder and due to sunshine wet snow becomes a problem