Allgäu Alps Central

Wide-ranging snowdrift accumulations on the Main Allgau Ridge

Wide-ranging snowdrift accumulations on the Main Allgau Ridge

Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: the freshly generated snowdrift accumulations. Slab avalanches reaching medium size can be triggered even by one sole winter sports enthusiast. Danger zones are numerous and located mostly above the treeline in steep ridgeline terrain on N/E/SW facing slopes, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. The fresh fallen snow, furthermore, can trigger naturally in steep rocky terrain and grow to medium sized loose-snow avalanches.

Weather conditions remain instable. As a result of fresh snow and wind, snowdrift accumulations are increasing on leeward slopes above the treeline. Intermediate layers which form during the intervals between bouts of precipitation are embedded inside the snowdrift and weaken the snowpack, particularly at high altitudes. In wind-protected zones and at lower altitudes, the snowpack is shallow and melt-freeze encrusted.

Depending on the intensiveness of precipitation, avalanche danger levels could increase on Thursday.