Werdenfels Alps

Avoid snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avoid snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrift accumulations are the main problem. In isolated cases, fresh snowdrifts in steep ridgeline terrain in NW/N/NE aspects cantrigger small slab avalanches by 1 person, small releases. Slab avalanches can reach medium size. Also wet snow is a problem in some places. Small wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep rough and rocky terrain in all aspects. The danger of small glide-snow avalanches is also a threat on very steep smooth slopes.

At night a melt-freeze crust forms. At lower altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly moist. Above 1800 m on shady slopes there is still powder. Here small snowdrift accumulations can be generated by S/W winds which will be deposited atop loose powder or surface hoar, in either case prone to triggering. Increasing cloud cover and warm temperatures are making the snowpack wetter also on shady slopes. Little or now snow on the ground well into intermediate altitudes.

Avalanche danger levels will recede in the next few days.