Chiemgau Alps East

Fresh snowdrifts can be generated by winds

Fresh snowdrifts can be generated by winds

Avalanche danger above 1500 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: fresh fallen snow from the last few days, which can trigger naturally as a loose-snow avalanche, esp. on very steep slopes in all aspects, or be triggered by 1 skier. Wind-bonded snow can be triggered by 1 person. Danger zones are difficult to recognize. Loose-snow avalanches are usually small, slab avalanches can be medium-sized. In addition, on ground which previously was bare of snow, naturally triggered small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible on steep grass-covered slopes.

Northerly winds can transport the loose snow during the day, snowdrifts are generated atop soft trigger-prone layers, their proneness to triggering increases with ascending altitude. Due to diffuse light the near-surface snow loses its bonding and can release as a loose-snow avalanche. The snow is settling and bonding increasingly up to high altitudes. At the base, it is wet, reinforcing gliding movements over smooth ground. Otherwise the snow will settle swiftly up to high altitudes.

On Thursday, cool. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.