Allgäu Alps Central

Avalanche danger considerable. Exercise caution and choose a defensive route

Avalanche danger considerable. Exercise caution and choose a defensive route

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Main problem: wet snow of the last few days which can release naturally in very steep terrain -- in particular due to solar radiation -- as small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches or be triggered by individuals engaged in wintersports. Glide snow avalanches can trigger naturally on smooth steep grass-covered slopes in all aspects, in very few isolated cases they can grow to large size. At higher altitudes, the new snow of that fell on Wednesday as well ass fresh snowdrifts are also prone to triggering, in particular in steep ridgeline terrain in W-N-E aspects. They can be triggered as medium-sized slab avalanches by one sole skier.

Solar radiation and mild temperatures will soften the snow superficially on Wednesday, the snow forfeits its firmness and can release as loose snow avalanches. Intensifying winds transports the snow at higher altitudes and deposits it atop soft layers in particular on the shady side, in places atop surface hoar. The snow is prone to triggering. In the new fallen snow of Wednesday, too, there is a weak layer that can be triggered. Many small and medium-sized releases on Thursday confirm that thee weak layers are trigger-sensitive. At high altitudes, the uppermost part of the snowpack in addition contains facted expansively metamorphosed crystals underneath a melt-freeze crust. Elsewhere the old snowpack is compact and stable. It is completely moist and wet down to the ground. A wet layer forms at the ground even underneath the new snow that fell atop a bare ground. Gliding snow masses over smooth ground are the consequence.

Foehn wind can generate fresh snowdrifts on the weekend. The wet-snow problem persists