Lechquellen Mountains

Caution: fresh and older snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Caution: fresh and older snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Danger zones increase in size and frequency with ascending altitude. One sole person can trigger mostly small avalanches in steep ridgeline terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Superficially triggered avalanches can sweep away the thoroughly wet old snowpack and grow to larger size. Some small snowdrifts are still prone to triggering. In steep rocky terrain, small-to-medium slides are possible on steep grassy slopes due to solar radiation and higher daytime temperatures.

The snowpack is well consolidated in the morning, softens only slowly. Fresh and older snowdrifts increase in size and frequency with ascending altitude. Inside the fresh snow and drifts of recent days are weak layers. Bonding deteriorates with ascending altitude. The fundament is moist up to high altitudes, the snowpack can glide over the smooth ground. As temperatures drop the danger of wet-snow avalanches recedes. A melt-freeze crust has formed beneath the fresh snow. Not much snow below 1500m.

Nocturnal hours: skies will be clear or with only scattered clouds, longwave outgoing radiation will be adequate. Thursday: initially sunshine, cloudbanks will later on move in from the west, also some convective cloud build-up. Slightly warmer. At 2000 m: -11 to -4 degrees. Light to moderate westerly winds.

Friday will be cloudy, instable, with minor snowfall and rain showers. Snowfall level will lie between 1000 and 1500 m. Winds will be light. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.