Bregenzerwald Mountains

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

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

Particularly in steep ridgeline terrain above 1800 m, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, the fresh and older snowdrift accumulations require 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. Settling noises and glide cracks are signals of imminent danger. 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.

During the night as snowdrift levels descend, 5-10 cm of fresh snow is expected, only a few cm in the Silvretta and in the Rätikon. As a result of strong SW winds the fresh snow will be transported and will form fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrift accujulations. The older snowdrifts particularly on sunny slopes were able to settle and increasingly consolidate, but are often still prone to triggering. In ridgeline zones it is still windy, snow is being transported, drifts are accumulating which are prone to triggering. At high altitude the snowpack snows heavy wind impact from the west. Particularly shady slopes above 2200 m have poor snowpack layering. These danger zones are not visible to the naked eye. Wind-protected areas have loose snowpack surfaces, often surface hoar. The generally shallow snowpack is moist up to intermediate altitudes. 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.

Thursday night: a front will reach Vorarlberg in the evening, precipitation will follow during the nocturnal hours. The snowfall level will descend from 1500 down to 1300 m. Friday: Some residual clouds with final rainfall will swiftly recede, drier air will follow with sunshine. In the afternoon clouds will again move in, minor precipitation is expected in the evening. At 2000 m: from -2 to +3 degrees. Winds will initially be brisk, intensifying in the evening, from the west.

As a result of a strong westerly air current on Saturday, conditions will be pleasant with some cirrus clouds. The air masses are much too mild for this juncture of the season. The warmth will reach its high point at the new year, the zero-degree level will ascend temporarily to 3500 m. The risks of dry-snow avalanches are not expected to change significantly at high altitudes. As a result of higher temperatures, increasingly frequent glide-snow avalanches and moist slides are possible, particularly on sunny slopes.