Pre Alps

Fresh snow + snowdrifts at high altitudes. Gliding snow problem persists.

Fresh snow + snowdrifts at high altitudes. Gliding snow problem persists.

Avalanche danger is moderate above 1500 m. Fresh snow and with ascending altitude increasingly large snowdrift accumulations can trigger a small slab avalanche. Danger zones occur on steep ridgeline slopes and in gullies and bowls. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow, also the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall need to be considered. In steep terrain, forest lands and on grassy slopes which have not yet discharged, glide-snow avalanches can be expected in all aspects, reaching small-to-medium size.

At high altitudes, 25 cm of fresh snow was registered, locally more. Last night amid dropping temperatures, an additional 25-30 cm fell as the snowfall level descended, 15 cm in Verwall, Rätikon and Silvretta. Gusty winds were blowing at moderate to strong velocity from the west at high altitudes. Fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrifts accumulated. As NW winds intensify, more snow will be transported. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet down to the ground due to rain impact, thereby weakened. As temperatures drop, the snowpack can consolidate only superficially. At intermediate altitudes the fresh snow has bonded well with the snowpack.

Friday: The peaks are often shrouded in cloud, visibility is severely reduced, snow showers are tapering off, will terminate ba midday. This afternoon will be dry but clouds and fog will persist tenaciously. At 2000 m: -6 degrees. Moderate to brisk N winds.

As high-pressure front effect increase on Saturday, clouds will disperse in the northern regions of Vorarlberg and Arlberg and the weekend will turn sunny. Temperatures will rise measurably at all altitudes. Glide-snow activity will again increase. Danger of dry-snow avalanches will decrease.