Lechquellen Mountains

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

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

At high altitudes, particularly on steep ridgeline slopes, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations require high attentiveness. Size and spread of danger zones increase with ascending altitude. In addition, above 2200/2300 m on steep shady slopes in particular, there are unfavourable weak layers evident. Settling noises and glide cracks are signals of imminent danger. One sole winter sports enthusiast can trigger avalanches of medium size which can then sweep away the entire snowpack and grow, in isolated cases, to large size. On steep grassy slopes in all aspects below about 2200 m, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in zones which have not yet discharged.

There was rainfall in late afternoon and the early part of the night which extended up to high altitudes. In the afternoon the SW wind intensified, transported the new snow and loose old snow. The drifts deposited on shady slopes in wind-protected zones are prone to triggering. As a result of the rain the snowpack below 2400 m has been weakend, moist slides and glide-snow avalanches can be expected. Particularly on steep shady slopes above 2200 m the snowpack layering is unfavourable. These avalanche prone locations are not visible to the naked eye. The generally shallow snowpack is moist up to intermediate altitudes. Skiing tours and descents in outlying terrain below the timberline, often below 2000 m, are unrewarding due to the lack of snow. At low altitudes there is often no snow on the ground.

Friday night: Rainfall often up to high alpine regions. In the latter part of the night it will come to an end. Saturday: windy, very mild mountain weather. High-altitude clouds will pass through, dampening the sunshine in the morning. It will remain dry. The W/SW air current will bring mild air masses our way, the zero-degree level will ascend to over 3000 m. At 2000m: 1-9 degrees. Brisk to strong W/SW winds, gusts will be stormy.

On Sunday and on Monday, mostly sunny and foehn-impacted conditions. The risks of dry-snow avalanches are not expected to change significantly at high altitude. Durinthe day, blide-snow and moist slides are possible on sunny slopes.