Werdenfels Alps

Heed danger zones near ridgelines at high altitudes

Heed danger zones near ridgelines at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: superficial weak layers in the old snowpack, transported snow. Particularly by large additional loading, e.g. several skier not maintaining distances, a medium-sized slab avalanche can be triggered on steep ridgeline N/W/SE facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullied and bowls. Ground-level weak layers in the old snowpack can be most easily triggered in transitions from deep to shallow snow on steep shady slopes.

The snowpack at high altitudes shows pronounced effects from wind, alternates over the shortest distances between bonded wind-pressed snow layers and powdery loose snow without tension. All in all the snowpack has settled well. In ridgeline terrain there are still small slabs which lied deposited atop soft layers of faceted snow and can be triggered. Particularly on shady slopes in high alpine regions, weak layers inside the ground-level layers of the snowpack have persisted. On sunny slopes at intermediate altitudes, there are melt-freeze encrusted layers, elsewhere the snow is powdery and without internal tensions.

Rising avalanche danger levels at the beginning of next week, due to fresh snowfall and wind