Berchtesgaden Alps

Watch out for small-scale wind slabs and deep, built-up layers in the persistent weak layer.

Watch out for small-scale wind slabs and deep, built-up layers in the persistent weak layer.

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. Wind slabs are the main problem. In places, small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered with a small additional load. This is possible above all in steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the west, east and south-east aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. The number and extent of avalanche prone locations increase with altitude.

On a few shaded slopes at high altitudes, medium slab avalanches can also be triggered with a large additional load in the persistent weak layer, for example when surface avalanches penetrate to deep layers.

When exposed to sunlight, small loose snow avalanches can detach themselves from the steep terrain interspersed with rocks.

Fresh and older wind slabs lie on small scales, sometimes on soft layers of snow or a thin crust, and are prone to triggering. On shady slopes at high altitudes, weak layers of faceted crystals can be found deep in the otherwise compact old snowpack. In the sun, the new fallen snow of the last few days becomes moist. The southern sides of the middle elevations are rapidly thawing out again.

The avalanche danger is slowly decreasing.