Bregenzerwald 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

Particularly in steep ridgeline terrain above 1800 m, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, the fresh and older snowdrift accumulations require 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.

Older snowdrifts particularly on sunny slopes were able to settle and increasingly consolidate, but are often still prone to triggering. In ridgeline zones it is still windy, snow is being transported, drifts are accumulating which are prone to triggering. At high altitude the snowpack snows heavy wind impact from the west. Particularly shady slopes above 2200 m have poor snowpack layering. These danger zones are not visible to the naked eye. Wind-protected areas have loose snowpack surfaces, often surface hoar. 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.

Wednesday night: only scattered clouds to begin with, later on becoming heavier, but it will remain dry. Thursday: very windy, relatively fine weather, dry in the mountains, some high-altitude cloudbanks, heavier in the afternoon hours, will pass through. In the evening and during the nocturnal hours, a front with precipitation is expected, snowfall down to 1500 m. Still relatively mild. At 2000 m: 0 to +2 degrees. Strong SW winds initially, slackening off in the afternoon.

On Thursday night, a bit of fresh snow is expected amid strong SW winds which will transport it. Avalanche danger will increase.