Bregenzerwald Mountains

Fresh snow and snowdrifts are prone to triggering

Fresh snow and snowdrifts are prone to triggering

Fresh snow and freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. Exposed ridges and crests are often windblown and bare of snow. Esp. intermediate altitudes evidence surface hoar. One person can trigger small-to-medium avalanches in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. In extremely steep and rocky terrain, small to medium sized loose-snow avalanches are possible.

The latest batch of fresh fallen snow has been transported over widespread areas, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations are the result in many places. Exposed crests and ridges are often completely windblown, bare of snow. At intermediate altitudes the fresh snow and drifts lie deposited atop surface hoar. On south-facing slopes at high altitudes, often a melt-freeze crust and on north-facing slopes in leeward terrain, often soft layers or surface hoar. Bonding of the fresh snow to the old snowpack is often poor.

Saturday: the heavy snowfall will taper off significantly by midday. In the afternoon, only minor snow showers in the mountains. Some clouds could disperse, particularly in the southern massifs. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. Stormy winds from the north, easing this afternoon.

Sunday will begin with sunshine. In the afternoon, cloud cover will move in. In the evening, precipitation will arrive. The snowpack remains prone to triggering and avalanche danger levels will recede only slowly. Avalanche danger levels will not change significantly.