Bregenzerwald Mountains

Naturally triggered avalanches can be expected

Apart from secured slopes in ski areas, a dangerous situation widespread

As a result of large amounts of fresh snow and drifts, naturally triggered slab avalanches can ongoingly be expected. They will be mostly medium-sized. As the precipitation tapers off, naturally triggered avalanche activity will diminish during the course of the day. One single winter sports enthusiast can easily trigger avalanches which pour over flat passages in the terrain. Danger zones are widespread, increase in frequency with ascending altitude. For all activities apart from secured ski slopes, conditions require experience in assessing the terrain and avalanche risks on-site. A defensive route selection is recommended. On south-facing slopes the fresh fallen snow blankets the terrain which previously was bare of snow, so it is beginning to glide away. In case of solar radiation, moist slides of the fresh snow can be expected during the afternoon.

Since Wednesday, 50-60cm of fresh snow has been registered, locally more. The snowfall was accompanied by strong-to-storm strength NW winds, thereby generating often large-sized, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations. In the interim there have also been repeated showers of graupel. Tonight, an additional 10cm of fresh snowfall is anticipated with wind impact. Fresh snow and drifts lie deposited atop a loosely-packed surface on shady slopes, atop a melt-freeze crust on sunny slopes. Beneath a further melt-freeze crust in the uppermost third of the snowpack there are often faceted crystals. The mid-section of the snowpack consists widespread of well consolidated, compact layers which on shady high altitude slopes blanket a poorly-structured old snowpack fundament.

Low-lying cloud cover will hamper visibility. Snow showers will taper off during the morning. In afternoon, possible windows of sunshine, particularly in high alpine regions. Temperature at 2000m: -11 degrees; at 3000m: from -16 degrees. Brisk northeasterly winds at high altitudes.

The danger of dry-snow avalanches is diminishing. Due to solar radiation, moist slides can be expected from the fresh fallen snow during the course of the day.