Bregenzerwald Mountains

Heed snowdrifts at high altitudes

Heed snowdrifts at high altitudes

Fresh snow and snowdrifts are prone to triggering particularly in ridgeline zones, wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. They tend to increase with ascending altitude. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole winter sports enthusiast. As a result of daytime warming and in areas where there has been rain impact, slides and small loose-snow avalanches and - on steep grass-covered slopes - small glide-snow avalanches are possible.

The latest batch of fresh fallen snow (10 cm). The snowfall level will descend in the afternoon from 1400 to 1000 m. Fresh snow and drifts have settled and consolidated. They lie deposited atop loose and soft layers or melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack surfaces. Bonding deteriorates with ascending altitude. These danger zones are not visible to the naked eye. Below 1800 m the snow often fell on bare ground, sometimes on warm ground.

On Thursday night: nighttime skies will remain dry, but with strong to stormy westerly winds. Friday: Strong to stormy westerly winds, visibility will swiftly alternate, rainfall and snowfall will focus on the northern massifs. In the afternoon, temperatures will drop, the snowfall level descend from 1400 to 1000 m. At 2000 m: -2 to -5 degrees. Strong to stormy westerly winds.

Saturday will be gloomy but dry, winds will be brisk, intensifying in the afternoon, from the west. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.