Bregenzerwald Mountains

Snowdrifts and, in some places, weak old snow are the main danger with increasing altitude

Snowdrifts and, in some places, weak old snow are the main danger with increasing altitude

Danger is still low for the most part, moderate in some higher altitude places. Isolated danger zones are found especially above 2200 m in very steep shady terrain. Also, with increasing altitude, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain are a problem. Such avalanche prone locations increasae in size and spread with increasing altitude. Medium sized avalanches can be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast; this needs to be taken into consideration in all activities in outlying terrain. Only small slikes and, on steep grassy slopes, small glide-snow avalanches can currently be triggered naturally. In zones where danger is low, isolated danger zones still exist in extremely steep terrain. Winter sports enthusiasts can then trigger small slabs or slides. The risks of being forced to take a fall outweigh those of being buried in snow masses.

The latest bout of snowfall has been transported by strong velocity winds in ridgeline and pass areas, thereby generating fresh snowdrift accumulations. These, together with older drifted masses which were formed by foehn winds on the weekend, can be triggered as small slab avalanches with increasing altitude, Particularly in very steep shady terrain above 2200 m, the old snowpack from late autumn is faceted in places. The uppermost layers of fresh snow and drifts are poorly bonded with the old snow or with each other. These danger zones are not recognizable! Below 1000 m and on sunny slopes, there is only a shallow snowpack, often with gaps. Even in other areas the snowpack is highly irregular. Wind-exposed zones are often bare, gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities often overflowing with drifts. Ski tours and activities in outlying terrain are not yet rewarding. Additional information is not yet available to the Avalanche Warning Services.

Tuesday night: skies will be mostly clear, later on clouds will move in. In the northern regions, a few snowflakes are possible. Wednesday: cold NW air current, the low lying clouds will be heavy, producing some light snowfall. Cloud cover up to about 2500 m, in the high altitude zones of the Central Alps the sun will be evident. Temperature at 2000 m: -7 degrees. High altitude winds: moderate to brisk from NW to W.

Thursday: slight foehn influence. The day will be dry and partly sunny. Not much precipitation, thus, no significant change in avalanche danger.