Berchtesgaden Alps

Fresh snowdrifts trigger-sensitive, in particular at high altitude.

Fresh snowdrifts trigger-sensitive, in particular at high altitude.

Avalanche danger above 1800m is considerable; below that altitude danger is low. Fresh and older snowdrifts are the main problem. Slab avalanches of medium size can be triggered by minimum additional loading, i.e., by one sole person engaged in wintersports. Avalanche prone locations are found above 1800m on many steep slopes adjacent to ridgelines in N/E/SW aspects, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind protuberances. Size and frequency of the danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Possibility of small loose snow avalanches releasing naturally in steep rocky terrain due to solar radiation.

A few centimeters of loose fresh snow are blanketing a wind-impacted and partly icy old snowpack, and in places large-scale snowdrift accumulations. Embedded in the snowdrift accumulations are trigger-sensitive boundary layers consisting of faceted crystals that were able to form while precipitation paused. At higher altitudes and on shady slopes the snowpack base is very compact. At lower altitudes and on sunny slopes, a thin layer of powdry snow is found directly on the ground.

Due to solar radiation and calm weather the avalanche danger will slowly decrease in the next few days.