Bregenzerwald Mountains

Often a treacherous situation due to fresh snow and snowdrifts

Often a treacherous situation due to fresh snow and snowdrifts

As a result of fresh snowfall and wind, fresh snowdrift accumulations require high attentiveness with increasing altitude, particularly in steep ridgeline terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Size and spread of the drifts increase with ascending altitude. Small-to-medium, isolated also large-sized slabs can be triggered even by one single winter sports enthusiast. Also naturally triggered avalanches are possible on steep shady slopes. In zones where there has been rain impact at low and intermediate altitude in all aspects, wet slides and small-to-medium avalanches can trigger from starting zones which have not yet discharged, isolated large-sized avalanches, as well as small glide-snow avalanches on steep grass-covered slopes.

The intermittently storm-strength westerly winds at high altitudes will transport the snow on Friday night and generate new snowdrift accumulations. Fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrifts will be deposited atop an encrusted old snowpack surface. Bonding is often weak-to-moderate. In addition, on steep shady slopes above 2200 m the layering is frequently weak. The additional loading of the fresh snow and drifts will lead to further tensions. These danger spots are not visible to the naked eye. Mostly shallow snowpacks will be further moistened at intermediate altitudes, thereby forfeiting even more of their firmness. Sunny slopes at intermediate altitudes are becoming bare of snow.

Saturday night: final rain showers from Rhine Valley into Kleinwalsertal will terminate, then sunshine is on the way. Sunday: sun, and cloudless skies. Brisk W/SW winds, mild air masses. Zero-degree level at 3000 m. At 2000 m: risig from +2 to +7 degrees. Brisk W/SW winds.

As a result of warmth, the fresh snow and drifts will bond with the old snowpack. Avalanche danger will slowly decrease.