Berchtesgaden Alps

Snowdrifts at high altitudes are often prone to triggering

Snowdrifts at high altitudes are often prone to triggering

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: snowdrifts. Fresh and older snowdrift masses can be triggered even by minimum additional loading at high altitudes. Avalanche prone locations are found mostly in steep ridgeline terrain in NW/E/SE aspects and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and size of the danger zones increase with ascending altitude. In addition, glide-snow avalanches (medium-size) can trigger naturally on steep slopes with smooth ground where they have not yet been discharged.

On Monday night, rainfall down to intermediate altitudes, a bit of fresh snow at high altitude, amid strong wind. Bonding of old and drifted snow is often prone to triggering. More deeply embedded layers which are weak occur at high altitudes where snowfall has been heavy. The old snowpack is moist to thoroughly wet, can glide away over smooth ground. At intermediate altitudes there is often little snow.

Decrease in avalanche danger as precipitation slackens off and temperatures drop.