Allgäu Alps West

Small-sized snowdrifts, weak persistent layers prone to triggering in places

Small-sized snowdrifts, weak persistent layers prone to triggering in places

Isolated small slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading in the snowdrifts. Danger zones occur especially near to ridgelines on shady W-N-E facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. In addition, isolated avalanches can be releases in high alpine regions on very steep shady slopes in the weak old snow. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and being forced to take a fall also require caution.

With ascending altitude, small snowdrift accumulations have been deposited primarily on shady slopes on top of an unfavorable old snowpack surface. They are often expansively metamorphosed, at low and intermediate altitudes they are melt-freeze encrusted. On shady slopes in high alpine regions, isolated weak layers occur inside the old snowpack. Snow depths at all altitudes continue to be significantly below-average. Only limited information is currently available from backcountry to the Avalanche Warning Services.

Lots of sunshine and, once again, icy temperatures in the mountains. At 2000m: -17 to -13 degrees; at 3000m: -18 degrees. Light high-altitude winds from varying directions.

As a result of fresh snowfall and strong-velocity winds, avalanche danger will increase significantly on Thursday and over the following days.