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

Most recent snowdrifts are prone to triggering in wind-protected shady ridgeline terrain. Danger zones are found especially at high altitudes and in foehn-exposed terrain. 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 2400 m, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in zones which have not yet discharged.

The windy, mild conditions continue. Amid intermittently strong SW winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations have repeatedly been generated over the last few days and are prone to triggering. With solar radiation and daytime warming the snowpack on very steep sunny slopes is weakened over the course of the day. On steep sunny slopes a breakable melt-freeze crust has formed. Particularly on shady slopes above 2200 m the snowpack layering is unfavourable. These danger zones are not visible to the naked eye. 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.

Saturday night: On New Year’s Eve skies will be slightly cloudy, foehn-impacted and it will be mild. Sunday: extremely mild, zero-degree level at 3200 m, lots of sunshine, only thin high-altitude clouds. In classic foehn lanes the S/SW winds will intensify. At 2000 m: 4-8 degrees. Light to moderate winds, strong in foehn zones, from SW.

On Monday, clouds will pass through, sometimes heavy cloud cover, dampening the sunshine noticeably. Mild. Zero-degree level just below 3000 m. Strong winds in the foehn mountains. Avalanche danger is not expected to change significantly.