Werdenfels Alps

Snowdrift accumulations still triggerable.

Snowdrift accumulations still triggerable.

The avalanche danger remains moderate above 1800m; below it is low. Older snowdrifts are the main problem. Small slab avalanches, at higher altitudes medium-sized slab avalanches, can in particular be triggered by large additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found in steep ridgeline terrain in N/E/SW aspects, and in gullies and bowls filled with wind-transported snow. Size and frequency of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude.

Some centimeters of loose snow are blanketing a wind-impacted melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack, and locally snowdrift accumulations. Embedded in the snowdrift accumulations are, in places, trigger-sensitive boundary layers consisting of faceted crystals that were able to form while precipitation paused. In particular on south-facing slopes the layers are increasingly bonding. At higher altitudes and on shady slopes the snowpack base is very compact. At lower altitudes and on sunny slopes, a thin layer of powdry snow is found directly on the ground.

Due to solar radiation and calm weather the avalanche danger will slowly decrease further in the next few days.