Bregenzerwald Mountains

Rainfall leading to wet-snow avalanches

Rainfall leading to wet-snow avalanches

Due to heavy rain impact, increasingly frequent medium-sized wet-snow avalanches can be expected in steep terrain. Where there is lots of snow on the ground, these releases can grow to large size. On steep grass-covered slopes, glide-snow avalanches can occur. Zones with glide cracks on the surface should under all circumstances be avoided. At high altitudes, avalanches can be triggered even by one single winter sports enthusiasts, particular from freshly generated snowdrift accumulations. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Particularly on very steep shady slopes above 1800m, avalanches can fracture down to deeper-down layers inside the snowpack and then grow to large size. Whumpf noises and fractures which appear when treading upon the snowpack are alarm signals.

About 20mm of rain was registered during the nocturnal hours. During the daytime another 15mm can be added to that. Above 2000m, about 15cm of fresh snow, accompanied by strong-velocity winds. At high altitudes, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations in all aspects are only moderately to poorly bonded with the generally weak old snowpac. On shady slopes there are weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack.

Rainfall at night and until midday, snowfall above 1800m. During the afternoon hours, clouds will disperse somewhat. Temperature at 2000m: -3 to +1 degree, at 3000m at -5 degrees. Initially strong to storm-strength northwesterly winds at high altitudes will slacken off significantly during the afternoon..

Wet-snow activity will decrease when the precipitation ceases. Then a high-pressure front will diminish avalanche danger also at high altitudes.