Allgäu Alps Central

AVOID snowdrift accumulations

AVOID snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger above 1400 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Problem: fresh snowdrifts. Avalanche prone locations are found in steep ridgeline terrain in N/E/SW aspects, in freshly wind-loaded gullies and bowls, and in wooded transition hzones, as well as below protruberances. Slabs can in some places be triggered by the weight of one sole skier and reach medium size.

The fresh snow is being transported by strong-velocity westerly winds, is generating new snowdrift accumulations. These are being deposited atop loose layers of snow or atop expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystals which formed during the night. They are prone to triggering. In addition, in forested transition zones a thin ice sheet has been covered in fresh snow, beneath which are faceted crystals. Elsewhere the old snowpack is generally compact and stable. All in all, the snow depths are below average; at low altitudes there is no solid snow base.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly to start with.