Bregenzerwald Mountains

Fresh snow and snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone at high altitudes

Fresh snow and snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone at high altitudes

Fresh snowdrifts are the main danger, often blanketed by loose fresh snow. Danger zones occur on steep ridgeline slopes, behind discontinuities and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, they increase with ascending altitude. A small-to-medium slab avalanche or loose-snow avalanche can be triggered by 1 person (sometimes larger). Activities in backcountry demand experience in outlying terrain and the ability to assess avalanche dangers on-site. Naturally triggered small slab and loose-snow avalanches in rocky steep terrain are possible. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger below 2600 m at any time of day or night and reach large size. Caution urged below glide cracks.

Fresh snowdrifts at high altitudes lie desposited atop soft layers or older snowdrifts, otherwise atop a hard old snowpack surface. Strong SW/NW winds intermittently have generated new snowdrift accumulations, bonding is only adequate. Inside the fresh snow are often weak layers. Warm ground and the wet old snowpack plus the load of fresh snow on top of it are reinforcing gliding movements. Below 1400 m there is very little snow on the ground.

Nocturnal hours: Variably cloudy to heavily overcast skies with intermittent showers. Saturday daytime: Foehn conditions. Sunshine and clouds will alternate. Isolated snow showers and graupel showers cannot be excluded, but will be the exception. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. Moderate-to-brisk S/SW winds.

Sunday will be very pleasant, but cold in the mountains. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Glide-snow avalanches in particular are still possible.