Lechquellen Mountains

Main danger: fresh snowdrifts at high altitudes

Main danger: fresh snowdrifts at high altitudes

Fresh snowdrifts are trigger-prone at high altitudes and are easily triggered. Size and frequency of danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Danger zones are covered, they occur in ridgeline terrain, behind discontinuities and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, increasingly occur also distant from ridges. Small-to-medium sized avalanches can be triggered by one person. Backcountry sports require much experience in assessing avalanche dangers on-site and prudent route selection; mind the risks of falling. Small loose-snow avalanches are possible in steep rocky terrain due to solar radiation. 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.

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.