Werdenfels Alps

Snowdrifts often lie deposited on weak old snow.

Snowdrifts often lie deposited on weak old snow.

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Snowdrifts are problematic. Fresh and older snowdrifts can trigger a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche by minimum additional loading in some places. Danger zones occur in steep east and south-facing terrain and tend to increase with ascending altitude, but still are small-sized. In addition, there is a persistent weak layer problem, unrecognizable without looking inside the snowpack. Danger zones occur in northern aspects and can be triggered particularly by large additional loading. In isolated cases they can grow to medium size.

On south-facing slopes, a thin melt-freeze crust will form overnight in many places. On shady slopes the snow will remain soft. Westerly winds will set in during the nocturnal hours, during the daytime hours snowfall will set in. The loose snow will be transported by winds, generate snowdrifted masses in summit and ridgeline areas. Size and frequency of the drifts will tend to increase with ascending altitude. At altitudes of 1800-2200m, there is a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads, beneath which a weak layer of faceted crystals has formed. The old snowpack base has varying depths, it is often lacking in wind-exposed zones. At intermediate altitudes the snow base is often moist, wet in some places, which can lead the entire snowpack to gliding over smooth ground.

Depending on amounts of fresh fallen snow, avalanche danger levels could increase further.