Bregenzerwald Mountains

Pay close heed to small snowdrifts at high altitudes

Pay close heed to small snowdrifts at high altitudes

Fresh snowdrifts are trigger-prone and the main danger at high altitudes. Danger zones occur in ridgeline terrain, behind discontinuities and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Small-to-medium sized avalanches can be triggered by one person. Danger zones are being blanketed over and are difficult to recognize. Despite lower temperatures, glide-snow avalanches are still a threat on steep grass-covered and rocky slopes in all aspects, avoid zones below glide cracks.

Strong to stormy winds have transported the loose snow, generating trigger-prone snowdrift accumlations. Older drifts are bonding better with the surface, but with increasing altitude are still prone to triggering, esp on high-altitude shady slopes. The old snowpack below them is generally well consolidated and stable. The warm ground and wet lower layers are reinforcing the gliding movement of the entire snowpack, esp. where there is rain impact.

Tuesday daytime: Snow showers will taper off, clouds will disperse. Starting at midday, temporarily better visibility before cloud cover brings in the next front. At 2000 m: -6 to -3 degrees. Strong to stormy W/NW winds.

Starting on Wednesday, variably conditions with mild temperatures and storm-strength winds. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.