Allgäu Alps Central

In some patches at high altitude snowdrifts are prone to triggering.

In some patches at high altitude snowdrifts are prone to triggering.

Avalanche danger on the main Allgäu crest is considerable above 1500 m; below that altitude it is low. Main problem: gliding snow. Glide snow avalanches trigger naturally on very steep slopes wit smooth ground below 2200 m. In isolated cases, avalanches can grow to large size. Glide cracks are red flags of this risk. In addition, in some places fresh snowdrifts can be triggered by minimum additional loading such as by a single skier. Avalanche prone locations occur in steep east-facing ridgeline terrain above 2200 m as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can reach medium size. In addition, smaller loose snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep terrain as a result of solar radiation.

At high altitude, older snowdrift accumulations in leeward zones are blanketed by fresh snowdrifts. In some places there are weak intermediate layers embedded. Up to high altitudes the snowpack is completely wet/soaked.The consequence are gliding movements of the snowpack on steep slopes with smooth ground such as in forests, on grass or on smooth rock slabs. At lower altitudes the small quantities of new snow cover the previously bare ground.

As temperatures become milder and due to sunshine wet snow becomes a problem.