Allgäu Alps Central

Increasing number of naturally releasing avalanches in steep terrain

Increasing number of naturally releasing avalanches in steep terrain

Above 1600m avalanche danger is considerable, below it is moderate. Main problem: fresh snow. In places, especially in steep rocky terrain, naturally releasing big loose snow avalanches can be expected. In steep ridgeline terrain, medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered even by low additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found in steep terrain in all aspects; frequency and size increase with ascending altitude. In addition, medium-sized glide snow avalanches can release on steep grass-covered slopes in all aspects. This applies also to slopes which had already been bare before the current new snowfall.

By Thursday up to 50cm of new snow have fallen and snowfall continues. On shady slopes and at higher altitudes the new snow was deposited atop a compact old snowpack surface. At high altitudes sporadically a weak intermediate layer forms at transitions to the old snowpack which can be triggered easily. Adjacent to ridgelines the snow is transported by moderate wind over a spatially limited area. At low altitudes and on sunny slopes the new snow was deposited atop a previously bare ground and becomes rapidly wet from below. The consequence are gliding movements.

When precipitations lessen the avalanche danger will decline by the beginning of next week.