Snow report Upper Bavaria, 03/15/2021

Snow condition

After it looked like the end of the season at the end of last week, winter fortunately returned to the Mangfallgebirge. Today in the afternoon there was about 20 cm of fresh snow in the parking lot at 1100 m around 3 pm. As the altitude increased, there was around 30 cm in wind-protected areas at >1300 m. Wind-exposed areas, ridges and crests are still more or less free of snow. Terrain traps are now covered in snow again and difficult to recognize. As more snow is expected in the coming days, I'll give it two stars.

Snow quality

In absolutely wind-protected locations, there are even the odd face shot. The more wind there is, the duller the snow becomes. The first part of the precipitation was rather damp, so there was virtually no penetration onto a hard base. Towards 1100 m, the snow became a little heavier over the last few meters.

The wind is quite strong in open areas. The snow cover is quite inhomogeneous, a few meters deep when making tracks, the next few meters again without sinking depth. Troughs are full to bursting. During the ascent, the snowfall often came in the form of sleet. This is now being transported or snowed in. On previously bare ground, the fresh snow/ drifting snow lies on an icy base and is easy to pick up. Defensive behavior is advisable for the next few days. I was only out and about on an alpine meadow today.

Overall impression

Nice afternoon outing and hopefully a good start to a late winter week. Let's hope for the best!