Bregenzerwald Mountains

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations due to foehn, particularly at high altitudes. Small glide-snow avalanches from higher temperatures.

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations due to foehn, particularly at high altitudes. Small glide-snow avalanches from higher temperatures.

Low avalanche danger prevails for the most part, at high altitudes moderate danger in some places. Isolated avalanche prone locations are found mostly in high alpine regions on very steep shady slopes. In addition, freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are found in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In those places, small slab avalanches can be triggered even by one sole winter sports enthusiast (with ascending altitude, also isolated medium-sized). On Sunday and Monday, these risks need to be given due consideration in outlying terrain away from secured ski runs. At lower altitudes, avalanche danger is predominantly low. As temperatures rise, small slides (and on steep grassy slopes, small glide-snow avalanches) are possible. In zones where avalanche danger is low, isolated avalanche prone locations still exist in extremely steep terrain, where small slab releases or slides can be triggered even by one single winter sports enthusiast. The risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall outweigh those of being buried in snow masses.

The snowpack in early winter is of highly varied depth. In high alpine terrain in the southern regions, at elevated altitudes in the Lechquellen region and on the Arlberg ample amounts of snow exist. Particularly on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2300 m, the old snowpack from late autumn is metamorphosed (faceted). The uppermost layers of fresh snow and snowdrifts are often poorly bonded with the old snowpack beneath or with each other. In addition, the snow cover in many exposed places shows heavy wind influence. Crests and ridges are frequently windblown and bare of snow, gullies and bowls are often filled to the brim with drifts. On Saturday. often strong-velocity southerly winds generated new snowdrift accumulations. In high altitude wind-protected zones there is often surface hoar evident. Below about 1200 m there is only a shallow, not cohesive or area-wide snowpack. Backcountry skiing tours and activities in outlying terrain away from groomed and secured ski runs are not yet worthwhile. Further information about the snowpack is not yet available to the Avalanche Warning Service.

On Saturday night: dispersed clouds until after midnight, frequently the skies are heavily overcast, thus reducing the outgoing longwave radiation. In the latter part of the night, clouds will become heavier from the south, wreathing the high peaks. On Sunday: slight foehn conditions, mostly the higher peaks will be sheathed in cloud. Visibility is quite diffuse but it is expected to remain dry by and large. Temperature at 2000 m: -4 to +2 degrees. High altitude winds: moderate to strong from south to southwest.

On Monday: gray and gloomy skies over widespread areas, wet-cold weather. Rainfall is possible up to 1500 m in the morning, in the afternoon snowfall down to 700 m, but slackening off at the same time. Temperature at 2000 m: -3 degrees. High altitude wind: moderate, southerly to start with, shifting to northwesterly in the afternoon. Since no significant precipitation is anticipated, avalanche danger levels will not change.