Bregenzerwald Mountains

Fresh snow and trigger-sensitive drifts at high altitudes. Glide-snow avalanches will persist.

Fresh snow and trigger-sensitive drifts at high altitudes. Glide-snow avalanches will persist.

Avalanche danger is considerable above 1800 m. Main problem: fresh snow and fresh snowdrift. Danger zones occur in steep wind-loaded terrain and behind protruberances, as well as in gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can be triggered by 1 person. Lower layers in the snowpack can be triggered mostly by large additional loading, esp. in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. entries into gullies and bowls. Below 2200 m glide-snow avalanches can be expected in extremely steep terrain, forest lanes and on smooth grassy slopes which have not yet discharged, becoming large with ascending altitude. Exposed zones can be placed at risk thereby. Caution below glide cracks. Backcountry tours demand extreme caution and self-restraint.

There was up to 25 cm of snow registered at high altitudes, locally more. Last night amid dropping temperatures, an additional 15 cm fell as the snowfall level descended, 10 cm in Verwall, Rätikon and Silvretta. Gusty winds were blowing at moderate to strong velocity from the west at high altitudes. Fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrifts accumulated. As NW winds intensify, more snow will be transported. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet down to the ground due to rain impact, thereby weakened. As temperatures drop, the snowpack can consolidate only superficially. At intermediate altitudes the fresh snow has bonded well with the snowpack.

Friday: The peaks are often shrouded in cloud, visibility is severely reduced, snow showers are tapering off, will terminate ba midday. This afternoon will be dry but clouds and fog will persist tenaciously. At 2000 m: -6 degrees. Moderate to brisk N winds.

As high-pressure front effect increase on Saturday, clouds will disperse in the northern regions of Vorarlberg and Arlberg and the weekend will turn sunny. Temperatures will rise measurably at all altitudes. Glide-snow activity will again increase. Danger of dry-snow avalanches will decrease.