Lechquellen Mountains

Critical avalanche situation widespread in backcountry

Critical avalanche situation widespread in backcountry

Trigger-sensitive fresh snow and fresh drifts deposited atop an often weak snowpack: thus, avalanche danger above the treeline is high. Avalanches can be easily triggered even by one single winter sports enthusiast and grow to large size. If avalanches above 2200m fracture down to weak layers they can grow even larger. Frequency and spread of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude and through the course of the day. Older danger zones have been blanketed by fresh snow, making them difficult to recognize. Whumpf noises and glide cracks when you tread upon the snowpack are signals of danger. In addition, increaingly frequent naturally triggered avalanches are anticipated. At low altitudes on steep grass-covered slopes, small to medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.

The snowfall thus far and the snowfall still to come will be deposited atop an unfavorable snowpack. In the uppermost part are weak layers (covered graupel inside the latest snowdrifts and at the bordering layer to the old snow). At high altitudes on shady slopes, weak layers are evident widespread in the old snowpack, down to which avalanches could fracture. Since yesterday there has been 20-30cm of fresh snow registered, 35cm on the Arlberg and Tannberg. By this evening, another 15cm of fresh snow is expected to fall which will be far-reachingly transported by storm-strength N/NW winds.

It will remain wintery and icy cold in the mountains. Following a brief interim in precipitation, the snowfall will intensify again during the daytime and continue into the nocturnal hours. Strong NW winds will create snowdrifts and intensify the subjective feeling of cold. Low-lying clouds and snowfall will severely deteriorate the visibility. At 2000m: -10 degrees. Strong to stormy N/NW winds at high altitudes

Critical avalanche situation will persist to begin with