Werdenfels Alps

Beware of older snowdrifts at high altitude.

Beware of older snowdrifts at high altitude.

The avalanche danger is moderate above 2200m; below it is low. Older snowdrifts are in places still triggerable. Avalanche prone locations are found adjacent to ridgelines on steep slopes and in gullies in south/west/north aspects and in patches with shallow snow. Avalanches can in particular be triggered by large additional loading; especially at high altitudes they can attain medium-size, and in very isolated cases large size if they fracture down to more deeply embedded layers. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow, the danger of falling deserves consideration. In addition, smaller loose snow avalanches can release spontaneously in sunny steep rocky terrain. Primarily in the Allgäu, isolated glide snow avalanches are possible on smooth steep grass-covered slopes.

Older snowdrift accumulations are partially still prone to triggering. Frequently graupel is embedded near the surface. In leeward high altitude zones fresh shallow snowdrifts have accumulated. The old snowpack is largely compact and stable. Only at high altitudes isolated weak layers consisting of faceted crystals can still be embedded close to crusts. On the shady side there is often still powder at the surface, but partly also a thin windcrust. A nocturnal thin melt-freeze crust forms in south aspects and at lower altitudes that softens again during the course of the day; thus the snowpack forfeits its firmness. Below 2000m the snowpack base is partly moist.

The avalanche danger levels will to decrease further.