Bregenzerwald Mountains

Main problem: fresh snow and snowdrifts

Main problem: fresh snow and snowdrifts

Avalanche danger above 1800m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Slab avalanches of medium size, in isolated cases also large size, can be triggered even by minimum additional loading, e.g. the weight of one sole skier. Danger zones occur particularly near ridgelines, but also distant from ridgelines in steep terrain, gullies, bowls, behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Frequency of danger zones increases with ascending altitude. Particularly in extremely steep terrain, loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. In addition, isolated avalanches can be triggered from the persistent weak layer, esp. in extremely steep shady terrain. Small avalanche releases are possible by large additional loading. At intermediate and high altitudes, isolated glide-snow avalanches continue to be possible on smooth, steep slopes.

There has been 45-65 cm of fresh snow registered. It fell amid heavy W/NW wind impact and was deposited atop a snowpack surface with springlike temperatures, dominated by melt-freeze crusts. Therefore, the fresh fallen snow will bond well with the rough-hewn surfaces. The stability of the snowpack is worse in wind-protected shady terrain at high altitudes due to the expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layers and wherever the fresh snow is blanketed by fresh snowdrifts. At intermediate altitudes there is little snow on the ground. At low altitudes the fresh snow was often deposited on bare ground.

Nocturnal hours: in Bregenzerwald and the Tirolean borderline regions, some snowfall is possible, otherwise it will be dry with dispersed clouds. In the north, strong NE winds, later spreading over into the southern regions. Sunshine will be limited or hampered. Higher temperatures than on Sunday. At 2000 m: -10 degrees. Moderate to brisk E/NE winds.

On Tuesday, brilliant sunshine, higher temperatures, settling fresh snow, initially higher naturally triggered avalanche activity. All in all, avalanche danger will slowly recede.