Pre Alps

small snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

small snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

Avalanche danger is generally low. W/NW winds are generating snowdrift accumulations in all aspects, frequently prone to triggering, mostly small. On steep slopes both near to and distant from ridgeline in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, one peson can trigger a slab avalanche. They are generally small sized. The danger of taking a fall outweighs that of being buried in snow masses.

As a result of fresh snow and strong-to-stormy W/NW winds, snowdrift accumulations are being generated in all aspects. Winds have made ridges and crests bare of snow. In many places surface hoar had formed before the precipitation, now blanketed by the fresh snow. On south-facing slopes at high altitudes the fresh snow and drifts often lie atop a melt-freeze crust which is not capable of bearing loads; on north-facing slopes in wind-protected terrain atop soft layers and surface hoar. Bonding of fresh snow to the snowpack is inadequate.

Nocturnal hours: gray overcast skies, intermittent light snowfall (snowall level: 800 m). Wednesday: heavily overcast, hardly any sunshine, limited visibility above 1500 m. Light snowfall esp. in Bregenzerwald mountains, Arlberg region, Verwall. Strong W/NW winds increase subjective feeling of cold. At 2000 m: -5 degrees. W/NW winds.

With increasing snowfall and strong NW winds, avalanche danger will increase significantly over widespread areas.