Werdenfels Alps

Fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrifts at highest summit levels

Fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrifts at highest summit levels

Avalanche danger above 2200 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: fresh snowdrifts. At high altitudes these can be triggered as medium-sized slab avalanches even by the weight of one sole individual. Avalanche prone locations are found adjacent to ridgelines in steep N/E facing terrain as well as in freshly wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Furthermore, weak layers embedded in the old snowpack can be triggered easiest, if at all, by large additional loading and at transitions from deep to shallow snow, e.g., at entries into steep gullies and bowls. Adjacent to ridgelines avalanches can grow to intermediate size on the odd steep north or east facing slope with plenty of snow; otherwise the danger of taking a fall outweighs that of being buried in snow masses. On steep slopes which have not yet discharged, small wet and glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.

The below average old snowpack has generally settled well and consolidated. At high altitude fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated during Thursday night as a consequence of new snow and strong westerly winds. These bond only poorly with the encrusted old snowpack surface and older snowdrifts and are therefore trigger-sensitive. In some places, weak layers consisting of faceted crystals persist in the old snowpack on shady slopes. However, these are not likely to trigger and it is hard to imagine that fractures will propagate over a large area. The snowfall limit is 1800m; below that altitude rainfall prevails. Residual snow at intermediate altitudes is moist down to the ground. Below 1400m the ground has become widespread bare of snow.

As a consequence of mild weather and often sunshine avalanche danger at high altitude will recede during the course of the long weekend.