Bregenzerwald Mountains

Wet-snow, glide-snow avalanches due to warmth and rainfall

Wet-snow, glide-snow avalanches due to warmth and rainfall

Avalanche danger stems from wet snow. On very steep slopes in all aspets, small-to-medium wet-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. On steep slopes with smooth ground, in addition, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. Glide cracks should be seen as indicators of imminent danger. In extremely steep terrain, isolated small-to-medium avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being forced to take a fall also needs to be taken into consideration. As snowfall sets in and winds increase, snowdrift accumulations will be generated.

The snowpack is thoroughly wet up well into intermediate altitude terrain, and wet down to the ground. Variably cloudy skies on Monday night will generated a melt-freeze crust, sometimes capable of bearing loads, which softens up during the daytime on Tuesday, making the snowpack lose its firmness, and wet-snow / glide-snow avalanches possible in steep terrain. At high altitudes, older snowdrift accumulations have soft layers embedded, which are unlikely to trigger. Below 1500m on shady slopes there is not much snow on the ground.

Nocturnal hours: compact widespread cloudbanks will pass through, reducing the cooling of the snowpack. Foehn impact will arise. Friday: towards midday, showers will set in, intensifying in the afternoon, also with thunder and lightning. Tempertures will drop, the snowfall level will descend to nearly 1900 m. At 2000 m: dropping from +5 to +1 degree. Strong to stormy southwesterly winds, shifting to westerly.

On Saturday, variably conditions, only a small amount of sunshine, dropping tempertures. In ridgeline and pass areas, stormy westerly winds. Depending on amounts of fresh snow, avalanche danger could increase from place to place at high altitude. Danger of wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches will be tricky due to rain impact. As temperatures drop the danger will also recede.