Avalanche forecast

Bregenzerwald Mountains

LWD Vorarlberg
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Avalanche danger

Above 2,200 m
3 · Considerable
Below 2,200 m
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Main danger: fresh and older snowdrifts and weak layers in the old snow

Avalanche problems

  • Wind slab

    • All elevations

  • Persistent weak layers

    • All elevations

Avalanche Activity

Main danger: fresh and older snowdrifts and weak layers in the old snow

At high altitudes, particularly on steep ridgeline slopes, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations require high 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. 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.

Snowpack Structure

Following the snowfall on Monday night, accompanied by strong westerly winds, the clouds disperse and sunshine was evident on Tuesday. The initially strong westerly winds slackened off during the day. In ridgeline terrain it remain windy, with further transport and generating of snowdrift accumulations which are prone to triggering. At high altitudes the snowpack shows pronounced effects of westerly winds. Particularly on steep shady slopes above 2000 m, the layering is unfavourable. These danger zones are not visible to the naked eye. The generally shallow snowpack is moist up to 2300 m. 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.

Weather Synopsis

Tuesday night: clear skies to start with, then temperatures will drop, clouds will move in. Wednesday: a westerly air current will bring cloudbanks above summit level, visibility will become diffuse but remain adequate. At 2000 m: -6 to 0 degrees. Moderate W/SW winds.

Tendency

On Thursday, very windy but pleasant and dry in the mountains. Temperatures rising everywhere. Avalanche danger will recede only gradually.

Bulletin data: Avalanche Warning Service Vorarlberg (CC BY 4.0)

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