Werdenfels Alps

In the second half of the day, the wind slab problem comes to the fore in places.

In the second half of the day, the wind slab problem comes to the fore in places.

The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 metres and low below that. Persistent weak layers are problematic. The few avalanche prone locations are in very steep terrain in the north-west to north to north-east aspects. Slab avalanches can be triggered with little additional load. They usually remain small. In rare cases, slab avalanches can be triggered with a large additional load in deep-lying weak layers and reach medium size.

During the daytime changes, wind slabs become a problem above the tree line. Avalanche prone locations are in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north-west, north to south-east aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. Small snow slabs can be triggered with little additional load.

In the higher elevations, weak layers of faceted crystals have formed near the surface. The snow on the surface is only soft in leeward and shady areas. In the second half of the day, it will start to snow with gale-force winds in places. In some places, fresh wind slab comes to rest on soft snow and is prone to triggering. Layers close to the ground at high altitudes consist of larger, soft crystals. The overlying old snowpack is well stabilised. At medium elevations, the new fallen snow falls mainly on the south-facing side of the apery ground, otherwise on a predominantly moist old snowpack.

The wind slab problem is increasing. The risk of avalanches is increasing.