Chiemgau Alps East

Avalanche situation gradually calming

Avalanche situation gradually calming

Avalanche danger in the Bavarian Alps is moderate. Main problem: the snowdrift accumulations which in places can be triggered even by minimum additional loading (1 person). Danger zones occur on steep W/N/SE facing ridgeline slopes, they increase both in size and in frequency with ascending altitude. They are difficult to recognize since they are blanketed by a bit of loosely packed fresh snowfall. Slab avalanches can reach medium size. On steep grass-covered slopes and in wooded zones in all aspects, glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Glide cracks are indicators of threatening danger. At low altitudes, furthermore, small wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on extremely steep slopes.

Above the timberline, fresh southerly foehn winds have been transporting the snow since Monday. The drifts are deposited in leeward zones atop the soft old snowpack surface, sometimes atop surface hoar, and are prone to triggering. More deeply embedded weak layers inside the snowpack currently demonstrate no tendency towards fracture propagation. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack base is often wet; the result: it glides over the grassy slopes. Below 1500 m the loose snowpack will become superficially wet during the course of the day. Overall the snow depths are significantly above average for this juncture of the season.

Short term, no significant change in avalanche danger is anticipated.