Bregenzerwald Mountains

Fresh snow and drifts at high altitudes. Beware gliding snow at intermediate altitudes.

Fresh snow and drifts at high altitudes. Beware gliding snow at intermediate altitudes.

Above 2000 m avalanche danger is considerable. Main problem at high altitudes: fresh snow and freshly generated snowdrift accumulations. Danger zones occur in steep wind-loaded terrain and behind protruberances. Even large-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by 1 person. Also naturally triggered avalanches are possible. More deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack can usually be triggered only by large additional loading, esp. in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entries into gullies and bowls. In zones where there is rain impact, glide-snow avalanches can be expected in steep terrain, on grassy slopes of all aspects where the snow has not yet discharged. At 1500-2000 m these can grow to large size. Caution urged below glide cracks. Backcountry tours require much caution and self-restraint.

At high altitudes, 10-20 cm of fresh snow was registered, locally more. By Wednesday evening an additional 10-30 cm is anticipated as the snowfall level descends. At night, strong westerly winds will generate further snowdrift accumulations. Where they lie atop soft layers they are prone to triggering. The snowpack at intermediate altitudes is thoroughly wet down to the ground, thereby weakened. Many wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches were the result. Further gliding movement of the wet snowpack can be expected in steep zones which have not yet discharged. As temperatures drop, the snowpack cannot consolidate. There is currently little data from outlying regions available to the Avalanche Warning Service.

Nocturnal hours: Precipitation will intensify in the evening, the snowfall level drop from 2000 down to 1400 m during the night. Wednesday: Skies will be cloudy, intermittent snowfall or snow showers, descending snowfall level down to 1200 m. Small bright intervals are possible. At 2000 m: -2 degrees. Moderate westerly winds.

The impact of the low pressure front will persist. With the moist NW air current, lots of cloud cover can be expected, including fog and shower-like snowfall. Gradually, colder air masses will move in. The avalanche situation remains tense.