Bregenzerwald Mountains

Main danger: fresh snowdrifts and weak layers in the old snow

Main danger: fresh snowdrifts and weak layers in the old snow

Latest snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering, especially on wind-protected shady slopes. Danger zones are located mostly at high altitudes and in foehn lanes. Also, above 2400 m on steep shady slopes there are unfavourable layers in the old snowpack. Settling noises, glide. cracks are signals of danger. As a result of daytime warming and solar radiation, small-to-medium wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches are possible, particularly on sunny slopes.

Intermittently strong SW winds have generated new snowdrift accumulations over the last few day. At high altitudes they are prone to triggering. With solar radiation and daytime warming the snowpack on very steep sunny slopes is weakened over the course of the day. On steep sunny slopes a breakable melt-freeze crust has formed. Particularly on shady slopes above 2200 m the snowpack layering is unfavourable. These danger zones are not visible to the naked eye. The generally shallow snowpack is moist up to intermediate altitudes. At low altitudes there is often no snow on the ground.

Monday night: foehn winds are coming to an end, gray skies will follow and light rainfall will set in during the early morning hours in the northern regions. Snowfall level will descend to nearly 1500 m. In the Montafon it could remain utterly dry. Tuesday: a weak cold front will bring gray weather with clouds and fog. Above 1500 m in the northern massifs, a bit of fresh snow. In the afternoon, only a few showers. Rätikon, Silvretta and Verwall will remain dry. Temperatures at 2000 m: -1 degree. Moderate W/SW winds.

An intermediate high on Wednesday will bring the sunshine back. Danger of dry-snow avalanches is not expected to change significantly. Danger of wet-snow avalanches will diminish as temperatures drop.