Bregenzerwald Mountains

High avalanche danger widespread

High avalanche danger widespread

Intensive precipitation and storm-strength winds are leading to high avalanche danger. Avalanches can easily be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast or be triggered naturally. Exposed areas can be placed at risk. Danger zones occur on steep slopes near to and distant from ridgelines, behind drops in the landscape and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. Whumpf noises and fractures which appear when treading upon the snowpack, as well as freshly released avalanches are alarm signals. Activities in outlying terrain demand restraint. The inexperienced should not leave secured ski runs.

By Tuesday evening, 30-50cm of fresh snow was registered. During the daytime the snowfall continued. Storm-strength westerly-to-northwesterly winds transported the snow, generate fresh snowdrift accumulations. Fresh snow and drifts often lie deposited on top of graupel, in wind-protected terrain also atop surface hoar or on thin, trigger-sensitive melt-freeze layers. Also older snowdrifts and the weak snowpack will be blanketed by fresh snowfall.

From dense cloud cover, heavy snowfall, poor visibility, brisk winds, wintery cold temperatures. Temperature at 2000m: -8 degrees; at 3000m: -15 degrees. Strong to storm-strength westerly-to-northwesterly winds at high altitudes.

As precipitation tapers off, danger of naturally triggered avalanches will gradually diminish. Situation remains treacherous for winter sports enthusiasts.