Chiemgau Alps East

Danger of wet-snow avalanches rising at low altitude during course of day.

Danger of wet-snow avalanches rising at low altitude during course of day.

Avalanche danger in the Bavarian Alps is moderate above the treeline, below that altitude danger is low but rises to moderate during the day due to solar radiation. Main problem: intermediate layers which are prone to triggering in the old snow. Avalanche prone locations occur on steep W/N/E facing slopes where the snow is shallow, e.g. at rims of wind-loaded gullies. In places, one sole winter sports enthusiast can trigger a slab. Frequency and size of danger zones increase with ascending altitude, and avalanches can grow to large size in isolated cases. Apart from that, due to increasing moistness at intermediate altitudes in steep rocky terrain, generally small, wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. On steep grass-covered slopes, isoalted medium-sized glide-snow avalanches are possible. Glide cracks are red flags, indicating imminent danger. Near ridges, furthermore, small snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering in places at high altitudes.

The snowpack surface at high altitudes shows stark effects from wind, only in protected shady zones is there still loose snow. Beneath the snowdrift accumulations from the last period of precipitation are faceted crystals beneath a melt-freeze crust, this layer becomes more pronounced with ascending altitude and lies (depending on the distribution of the old snowdrifts) dangerously near the surface. The danger is not detectable from above the snowpack. Near ridges, small snowdrifts are often prone to triggering. At lower altitudes and on sunny slopes the snowpack is melt-freeze encrusted in early morning, often thorougly wet, then forfeits its firmness during the day through solar radiation.

As a result of some fresh snow and wind, the snowdrift problem at high altitudes will intensify on Tuesday and on Wednesday.