Lechquellen Mountains

Beware fresh snow, drifts and weak layers on shady slopes: prone to triggering

Beware fresh snow, drifts and weak layers on shady slopes: prone to triggering

As a result of fresh snow and winds, avalanche danger is increasing. The fresh snow and freshly generated drifts can easily trigger a medium-sized avalanche by minimum additional loading. Danger zones occur primarily in steep terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In addition, avalanches on shady slopes can fracture down to deeper weak layers and in isolated cases then grow to large size. Such danger zones occur especially where the snow is shallow and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Wherever there is solar radiation, small-to-medium sized loose snow avalanches are possible in steep rocky terrain.

By Sunday morning, 20cm of fresh snow fell in the Arlberg region, up to 25cm in Verwall and Silvretta, locally more. Due to NW winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations were generated. The fresh snow and drifts have often been deposited on a loosely-packed old snowpack surface or atop surface hoar. They are prone to triggering. The mid-level part of the snowpack consists of well-settled, compact layers widespread which on high-altitude shady slopes cover a poorly structured old snowpack fundament.

Low-pressure front conditions. Nighttime snowfall will rapidly taper off, clouds and fog will be persistent all day long. Bright intervals can best be expected in the Central Alps during daytime hours. Temperature at 2000m: -5 degrees; at 3000m: -9 degrees. Moderate-velocity NE winds at high altitudes, shifting in high alpine regions to SW.

On Monday, snow showers will repeatedly pass through starting at midday, often accompanied by strong-velocity westerly winds. Fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will be generated.