Lechquellen Mountains

At high altitudes, fresh drifts, considerable avalanche danger

At high altitudes, fresh drifts, considerable avalanche danger

Avalanche danger is considerable at higher altitudes. Main problem: snowdrift accumulations. Danger zones occur in steep wind-loaded terrain and ridgelines. A medium-to-large slab avalanche can be triggered by 1 person. Activities in outlying terrain require experience in assessing the terrain and avalanche dangers. At all altitudes in steep terrain and on smooth grass-covered slopes in all aspects, glide-snow avalanches are possible which can reach medium size. Caution in zones below glide cracks.

The large amounts of fresh fallen snow with little wind have been able to settle at lower altitudes and bond with the old snowpack. At higher altitudes the settling process takes longer, due to low temperatures. In places there are soft layers or older snowdrift accumulations which have been blanketed over, and the bonding inside the fresh snow and between fresh and older snow is poor. Particularly on steep shady slopes above 2200 m, the old snowpack from late autumn still has unfavourable intermediate layers which are triggerable as slab avalanches. There is currently little data available to the Avalanche Warning Service about the snowpack in various regions.

Nocturnal hours: Light foehn wind, no longer as cold. In the latter part of the night, a bit of snowfall is possible. Tuesday: Heavy cloud cover, a few snow showers over the daytime hoursr (5-10 cm). Temperatures will drop. At 2000 m: -4 to -7 degrees. Moderate to strong SW winds, shifting to NW in the evening.

The avalanche situation is not expected to change significantly at high altitudes.