Bregenzerwald Mountains

Main danger: fresh and older snowdrifts plus weak layers in the old snow

Main danger: fresh and older snowdrifts plus weak layers in the old snow

Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering at high altitudes. Danger zones are located especially in steep shady ridgeline terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Size and spread of danger zones increase with ascending altitude. In addition, above 2200/2300 m on steep shady slopes in particular, there are unfavourable weak layers evident. Settling noises and glide cracks are signals of imminent danger. One sole winter sports enthusiast can trigger avalanches of medium size which can then sweep away the entire snowpack and grow, in isolated cases, to large size. On steep grassy slopes in all aspects below about 2200 m, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in zones which have not yet discharged.

There was intermittent rainfall in late afternoon and the early part of the night which extended up to high altitudes. In the afternoon the SW wind intensified, transported the new snow and loose old snow. The drifts deposited on shady slopes in wind-protected zones are prone to triggering. As a result of the rain the snowpack below 2400 m has been weakend, moist slides and glide-snow avalanches can be expected. Particularly on steep shady slopes above 2200 m the snowpack layering is unfavourable. These avalanche prone locations are not visible to the naked eye. The generally shallow snowpack is moist up to intermediate altitudes. Skiing tours and descents in outlying terrain below the timberline, often below 2000 m, are unrewarding due to the lack of snow. At low altitudes there is often no snow on the ground.

Friday night: Rainfall often up to high alpine regions. In the latter part of the night it will come to an end. Saturday: windy, very mild mountain weather. High-altitude clouds will pass through, dampening the sunshine in the morning. It will remain dry. The W/SW air current will bring mild air masses our way, the zero-degree level will ascend to over 3000 m. At 2000m: 1-9 degrees. Brisk to strong W/SW winds, gusts will be stormy.

Avalanche danger will remain low.