Lechquellen Mountains

Main danger: snowdrift accumulations and weak layers in the old snow

Main danger: snowdrift accumulations and weak layers in the old snow

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations, particularly on wind-protected shady slopes in behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain are prone to triggering. There are drifted masses also distant from ridgelines, these tend to increase in spready and size with ascending altitude. Small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggered even by one sole winter sports enthusiast. Other danger zones occur especially on steep shady slopes above 2400 m, where unfavourably layered old snow is often prone to triggering. Small-to-medium avaanches are possible in the old snowpack layers, particularly upon large additional loading. In steep terrain where the surface is melt-freeze encrusted, the dangers of slipping and taking a fall should not be underestimated.

At high altitudes, more fresh snow, intermittently strong winds are transporting the snow, new drifts will accumulate during the daytime hours which are prone to triggerng. Atop the loose and soft layers (or melt-freeze encrusted surfaces) these drifts are being deposited. Bonding is only weak-to-moderate. At high altitudes, esp. on steep shady slopes there are weak layers evident inside the snowpack. These danger zones are not visible to the naked eye. Below 1600 m there is only little snow on the ground; below 1200 m the ground is mostly bare. Reports from outlying terrain are sparse.

During the night: rainfall will slacken off, the latter part of the night will be dry. In Rhine Valley and at Lake Constance, high fog-like residual cloud will persist, elsewhere the clouds will disperse. Friday: apart from residual cloud at the edge of the Rhine Valley and the Alpine Prealps, sunshine right from the start. Cirrus clouds passing through will not be a disturbance. Winds will ease. Temperature at 2000 m: 0-3 degrees. Moderate to brisk westerly winds.

As a result of intermediate high-pressure conditions, it will be quite sunny on Friday. Winds will slacken off significantly, and temperatures rise again. Avalanche danger levels are expected to decrease.