Bregenzerwald Mountains

Caution: beware snowdrift accumulations, they lie deposited atop a weak old snowpack surface

Caution: beware snowdrift accumulations, they lie deposited atop a weak old snowpack surface

Small-sized older snowdrift accumulations in steep ridgeline terrain and behind sharp drops in the terrain are still prone to triggering. They are blanketed, making them impossible to see. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger generally small-sized avalanches. If these sweep away deeper layers inside the snowpack, the avalanches can grow to medium size in isolated cases. Danger zones for avalanches triggering in the old snow occur especially in transitions from shallow to deep snow, for example, at entry points into gullies and bowls. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall also require caution. On sunny slopes, mostly small-sized loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally during the course of the day.

The 5cm of fresh snow, more locally, from yesterday and the snowdrift accumulations from recent days lie at high altitudes atop a loosely-packed snowpack and an often melt-freeze encrusted surface. Snowdrifts are blanketed, impossible to recognize. The fresh snow from Wednesday often blanketed the surface hoar. Particularly on steep shady slopes, there are often unfavorable intermediate layers inside the old snowpack which have persisted. Analysis confirms how prone to triggering the snowpack is.

Again on Sunday, tranquil winter weather will prevail accompanied by only light winds. Apart from flat cloudbanks between Lake Constance and the Rhine Valley (upper limit at 600m) it will be quite sunny, with only a few residual clouds during the course of the day. Wintery temperatures. Low: -6 to 0 degrees; high: +1 to +5 degrees.

Avalanche danger will decrease only gradually.