Bregenzerwald Mountains

Main danger: snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes and weak layers in old snowpack on shady slopes

Main danger: snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes and weak layers in old snowpack on shady slopes

Above 2000 m avalanche danger is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanche prone locations are found esp. in steep ridgeline terraein, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Mostly small snowdrifts can be triggered even by one sole winter sports enthusiast. In addition, above 2200 m particularly on steep shady slopes there are unfavourably layers weak layers in the old snow. In places, one sole winter sports enthusiast can trigger small (with increasing altitude, medium-sized) slab avalanches. Apart the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall are also to be heeded. Smallish glide-snow avalanches and wet slides are also possible due to daytime warming and rainfall. Due to the shallowness of the snowpack, these will be mostly small.

Freshly generated and older snowdrift accumulations from recent days are still prone to triggering. The fresh snow was deposited mostly atop a thin melt-freeze crust. In addition, there are crusts bordering against faceted crystal layers above 2200 m on north facing slopes more than anywhere else. These can be triggered by additional loading. These layers are not visible to the naked eye. As temperatures rose there were numerous loose-snow slides and avalanches in all apects. Also small glide-snow avalanches were observed. In addition, snow snowpack is becoming wet up to intermediate altitudes and thus, forfeiting its firmness. Sunny slopes are becoming bare up to intermediate altitudes.

Tuesday night: Foehn-induced clear skies in the early part of the night, then clouds will become more compact. Wednesday: intensifying westerly winds, snow showers will set in and spread to all regions during the morning. The snowfall level will lie at 1700-1900 m, the amounts of expected snowfall are minor. In the evening, clouds will disperse again. At 2000 m: 0 degrees. Brisk westerly winds as the front moves in.

Thursday will have heavily overcast skies but it will remain dry by and large. Strong westerly winds will be blowing. As the snowdrifts are generated, avalanche danger levels will increase somewhat at high altitudes. The persistent weak layer remains a threat.