Lechquellen Mountains

Snowdrifts and weak layers in old snow on shady slopes, slight daytime cycle of wet-snow avalanche activity

Snowdrifts and weak layers in old snow on shady slopes, slight daytime cycle of wet-snow avalanche activity

Fresh snow and snowdrift accumulations on shady wind-protected slopes often lie deposited atop surface hoar. Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger avalanches, particularly by large additional loading on very steep shady backcountry slopes. These avalanche prone locations occur most of all in spots where the snow is shallow and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. If avalnaches fracture down to deeper-down layers of the snowpack, they can in isolated cases grow to large size. During the course of the day, natural triggerings of small-sized wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches are possible, particularly on steep sunny slopes.

Above about 1500m there has been about 10cm of fresh fallen snow, in Verwall and in Sllvretta somewhat less, below that altitude there was rainfall. The fresh snow lies deposited on sunny slopes atop a barely frozen, generally softened up surface, on shady slopes frequently atop surface hoar or a hard rain crust. The mid-level part of the snowpack consists widespread of well settled, compact layers which on shady higher-altitude slopes cover a poorly-structured old snowpack fundament.

Friday will dazzle with sunny weather. High-altitude clouds will be high above summit level, but starting at midday will bring us milky skies and slightly diffused light conditions. Temperatures will again rise at all altitudes. At 2000m: rising from 0 to +4 degrees, at 3000m: at -3 degrees. Initially light, during the afternoon intensifying southwesterly winds at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger will increase far-reachingly starting at noon on Saturday, due to fresh snowfall and wind.