Werdenfels Alps

Avoid fresh and older snowdrifts at high altitudes

Avoid fresh and older snowdrifts at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, danger below that altitude 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 N/E 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.

At high altitudes 15 cm of fresh snow, in the Allgau up to 25 cm of snow, was registered amid strong westerly winds, and then transported. The drifts lie deposited mostly in wind-protected shady terrain atop a loose snowpack layer, often prone to triggering. Also at high altitudes are isolated weak layers in zones where snowfall has been heaviest. At intermediate altitudes the snow is moist down to the ground, There is little snow on the ground.

Avalanche danger will continue to decrease.