Chiemgau Alps East

Snow transport esp. in exposed terrain

Snow transport esp. in exposed terrain

Avalanche danger is low in the morning, rises to moderate above the treeline in the afternoon. Main problem: snowdrifts. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain on N/E/W facing slopes. Frequency of danger zones increases as the day progresses. Slab avalanches can be triggered by 1 person, but are usually small releases. Danger of falling is higher than danger of being. buried in snow masses. Glide-snow avalanches can still trigger naturally at any time of day, esp. on very steep smooth slopes, in all aspects and at all altitudes. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

The snowpack base is often moist/wet. Above it is weak and moist, dry only on shady slopes. The early part of the night will have clear skies, a melt-freeze crust will form on the surface. In the latter part of the night, westerly winds will set in. The loose powder on shady slopes will, together with the bit of fresh snow, be transported, deposited to leeward slopes, forming new snowdrift accumulations, bonding is poor. On south-facing slopes the snowpack is deteriorating at lower altitudes.

Due to storm-strength winds and fresh snowfall, increasing avalanche danger levels expected.