Werdenfels Alps

Apart from snowdrifts, attention towards the risks of taking a fall

Apart from snowdrifts, attention towards the risks of taking a fall

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, danger below that altitude is low. The main problem are snowdrifts. In steep ridgeline terrain in NW/E/SE aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, a sole wintersports enthusiast can still sporadically trigger slab avalanches. Proneness to triggering and size of the snowdrifts increase with ascending altitude. In particular at high altitude avalanches can attain large size; at lower altitudes the predominant danger is that of taking a fall.

Most of the snow that fell in the last few days was transported by westerly winds. Weak intermediate layers that are prone to triggering are embedded in the snowdrift accumulations and at transitions to old snow. Bonding between the layers deteriorates with ascending altitude. Windward areas are blown bare. During a partly clear night a melt-freeze crust forms at lower altitudes on the moist shallow snowpack surface, which softens again during the day due to sunshine and mild temperatures.

As of mid-week the avalanche danger will rise again, due to the anticipated snowfall.