Lechquellen Mountains

Heed fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Heed fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avalanche danger is considerable. Snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. Danger zones occur on wind-loaded steep slopes, behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, in gullies and bowls, increase in frequency with ascending altitude. One sole skier can trigger a medium-sized slab avalanche. Glide-cracks and whumpf noises are indicators of imminent danger. Activities in backcountry require experience in assessing danger on-site. At low altitudes the danger is generally moderate, below the treeline often low.

Strong to stormy winds transported the fresh snow, generated new drifts, depositing them atop soft layers which are prone to triggering. Inside the snowdrifts themselves there are weak layers. On shady slopes there is often powder or surface hoar. Weak layer lurk inside the snowpack, but they are likely to trigger only by large additional loading.

Nocturnal hours: on Friday night a cold front will move in, bringing moderate precipitation, strong winds, lower tempertures. Snowfall level will descend to the valley floor. Saturday: dense cloud cover, reduced visibility, snowfall will terminate temporarily then begin again at midday. At 2000 m: -6 degrees. Brisk to strong W/NW winds.

With higher temperatures and rainfall, avalanche danger could rise further. Wet avalanches possible at intermediate altitiudes. At high altitudes the drifts are prone to triggering.