Ammergau Alps North

The number and extent of avalanche prone locations increase with altitude.

The number and extent of avalanche prone locations increase with altitude.

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and moderate below it. The main problem is new fallen snow. The avalanche prone locations are in steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects, behind slope discontinuities and in gullies and bowls. Slab and loose snow avalanches can detach themselves and reach medium size. Occasionally, avalanches with a large additional load, for example from a superficial avalanche, can be triggered in deeper weak layers and become large.

In the Allgäu in particular, gliding avalanches can detach themselves on previously aperic, very steep meadow slopes. They can reach medium size.

Up to 40 cm of new fallen snow has already fallen, especially in the western regions. This was accompanied by strong, sometimes stormy winds from the north-west. It continues to snow. The new and drifting snow is lying on soft snow on the northern sides of higher elevations and is prone to triggering. Weak layers prone to triggering are also embedded within the wind slab. The snowdrift accumulations are becoming large and are partly covered by new fallen snow. In the higher elevations, weak layers of faceted crystals can be found near the surface. Otherwise, the underlying old snowpack is generally well stabilised. On the southern slopes, the new fallen snow covers the previously apery ground and begins to glide snow.

With wind, the wind slab can become a problem.