2021-12-18T17:00:00+00:00 avalanche-warnings.eu 2021-12-18T23:00:00+00:00 2021-12-19T23:00:00+00:00 2 1 old snow Old snow problem at highest altitudes in the Bavarian Alps Moderate avalanche danger above 2200m. Main problem: trigger-sensitive intermediate layers in the old snowpack. At high altitudes slab avalanches can be triggered on steep shady slopes in particular by large additional loading, especially in places where the snow depth is shallow, e.g., at the entry points to gullies and bowls. Triggered avalanches can grow to medium size. At intermediate altitudes it is still possible that isolated glide snow avalanches release naturally on steep, smooth grass-covered slopes. The glide snow avalanches tend to be small but can still attain medium size in the Allgäu. In general, the snowpack has settled and consolidated well over the last few days due to mild temperatures. Up to high altitudes the snowpack is covered by melt-freeze crusts of varying depths. Trigger-sensitive layers consisting of expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystals exist at high altitude at the snowpack base and near older snowdrift accumulations. These layers are more pronounced at the shady side where it is also more likely that fractures propagate. At low and intermediate altitudes, the snowpack is moist down to the ground but compact. Gliding movements can still not be excluded. Despite small quantities of new snow in the eastern region the avalanche danger will continue to recede further in the next few days. 2021-12-18T17:00:00+00:00 avalanche-warnings.eu 2021-12-18T23:00:00+00:00 2021-12-19T23:00:00+00:00 1 gliding snow Isolated glide snow avalanches possible. The avalanche danger is low. At intermediate altitudes it is still possible that isolated glide snow avalanches release naturally on steep, smooth grass-covered slopes. This applies more frequently to south-facing slopes. The glide snow avalanches tend to be small but can grow to medium size in the Allgäu. Elsewhere, isolated small slab avalanches can be triggered on extremely steep slopes close to the summits by large additional loading. Generally, the danger of taking a fall is bigger than the danger of being buried in snow masses. In general, the snowpack has settled and consolidated well over the last few days due to mild temperatures. The snowpack surface is melt-freeze encrusted and melts superficially during the day on south-facing slopes. The snowpack is moist to the ground but compact. Gliding movements can still not be excluded. Trigger-sensitive layers consisting of expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystals are encountered in isolated cases on steep slopes in summit areas in the vicinity of melt-freeze crusts. Despite minor quantities of new snow in the eastern region the avalanche danger will not change much in the next few days.