Berchtesgaden Alps

Avalanche danger limited to high altitudes

Avalanche danger limited to high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Weak layers in the old snowpack are the main problem. Slab avalanches can trigger even by the weight of one single person. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain especially in shady aspects, near ridgelines, in steep high altitude terrain and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Medium-sized avalanches cannot be ruled out. Isolated small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day or night where there is sufficient snow on the ground.

Mild temperatures have helped the snowpack to settle and consolidate at intermediate altitudes. Settled powder snow is to be found on shady slopes. At high altitudes, there are intermediate layers of faceted crystals. On sunny slopes the snowpack moistens, then forms a breakable melt-freeze crust during the nocturnal hours. At low altitudes the snowpack is shallow and moist down to the ground. Gliding movements over smooth grass-covered slopes cannot be excluded.

Avalanche danger levels will diminish further.