Werdenfels Alps

Increasing gliding snow/wet snow as day unfolds

Increasing gliding snow/wet snow as day unfolds

Avalanche danger in the morning is moderate above 1800 m, in the afternoon moderate above 1500 m, otherwise danger is low. Gliding snow is the main problem. On very steep slopes with smooth ground the activity of naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches will increase as the day progresses, releases mostly small. Avoid zones below glide cracks. Due to solar radiation and mild temperatures, in addition, wet loose-snow avalanches trigger naturally as the day unfolds in steep rocky terrain. Isolated small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggered at high altitudes by large additional loading. The few danger zones occur in transitions from shallow to deep snow, e.g. at entries into steep gullies.

Nocturnal skies on Monday will be mostly clear with good outgoing longwave radiation, forming a melt-freeze crust which is capable of bearing loads. Solar radiation will soften it quickly during the daytime hours. At high altitudes on shady slopes there is often still powder to be found. Older drifts are unlikely to trigger. Soft layer in the uppermost part of the snowpack can be triggered. The old snowpack is thoroughly wet up to 2300 m, sufficiently wet at intermediate altitudes, reinforcing the gliding movements of the entire snowpack. Up to intermediate altitudes the ground is becoming bare of snow.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.