Lechquellen Mountains

Main danger: fresh and older snowdrift accumulations

Main danger: fresh and older snowdrift accumulations

Fresh and older snowdrifts are the main danger. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, behind discontinuities and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and increase in size and frequency with ascending altitude. A small-to-medium slab avalanche or loose-snow avalanche can be triggered by 1 person (in high-alpine terrain larger). Activities in backcountry demand experience in outlying terrain and the ability to assess avalanche dangers on-site, as well as a cautious route selection. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger below 2600 m at any time of day or night and reach large size. Caution urged below glide cracks. With daytime warming, loose snowslides are possible in sunny steep rocky terrain.

Some fresh snow and southerly winds generated small trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations on Tuesday. Fresh and older snowdrifts lie deposited on high-altitude shady slopes atop soft layers or atop older snowdrifts on high-altitude shady slopes, otherwise atop a hard old snowpack surface. Bonding deteriorates with ascending altitude. Weak trigger-prone layers are evident inside the fresh snowdrift accumulations. On high-altitude shady slopes the surface is powdery, elsewhere there are often melt-freeze crusts and wind crusts evident. Warm ground and the wet snowpack base reinforce the gliding movements of the entire snowpack. Frequent glide-snow avalanches have been reported.

Nocturnal hours: Some minor snowfall possible in the evening, the night will be cloudy but dry. Wednesday daytime: Gray skies, a bit of snowfall. Increasing sunshine, starting in Rätikon and Silvretta, especially in high alpine regions. At 2000 m: -1 degree. Light to moderate S/E winds.

Slightly foehn-impacted conditions, radiant sunshine. Danger of dry-snow avalanches will continue to recede. Glide-snow avalanches are still possible.