Chiemgau Alps East

Not much snow at intermediate altitudes in the Bavarian Alps.

Not much snow at intermediate altitudes in the Bavarian Alps.

Avalanche danger is generally low. Main problem: wet snow. Naturally releasing small, superficial wet snow avalanches can be expected in steep terrain due to solar radiation and rise in temperature during the course of the day. Isolated small glide snow avalanches can trigger at ground level on steep smooth grass-covered slopes. Glide cracks indicate danger. In addition, isolated weak intermediate layers are found in the old snowpack in extremely steep north-facing terrain. There, avalanches can still be triggered by large additional loading and can grow to medium size.

The snowpack is mostly encrusted in the morning, has settled well and is stable. As a consequence of solar radiation and mild temperatures the snowpack surface moistens during the course of the day and as a result the snowpack forfeits its firmness. In a few spots in extremely steep shady terrain weak intermediate layers have persisted in the old snowpack that consist of expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystals. On sunny slopes the ground is becoming increasingly bare up to intermediate altitudes.

As of Saturday, rain and strong westerly winds are expected up to high altitudes. Therefore, drift snow will become the predominant problem at high altitude again.