Lechquellen Mountains

Considerable avalanche danger at high altitudes

Considerable avalanche danger at high altitudes

One single person can trigger slab avalanches in the old snow. If the fracture sweeps away the entire snowpack, the release can grow to medium size. Danger zones occur especially on steep shady slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls in all aspects. Whumpf noises and fractures on the snowpack surface are alarm signals. Also remote triggerings cannot be ruled out. In addition, small-sized fresh snowdrifts require special caution in high altitude ridgeline terrain and pass zones. Activities in backcountry demand experience in evaluating the terrain and assessing dangers. In zones with rain impact, increasingly frequent wet snowslides and avalanches are possible. Also gliding snow activity is increasing again.

The fresh fallen snow and drifts from the most recent period of precipitation have settled further as a result of higher temperatures. Bonding to the often loosely-packed, faceted, expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface, often with surface hoar, continues to be moderate-to-poor in places. In addition, layers inside the recent fresh snow and drifts are often still prone to triggering. Up to intermediate altitudes the snowpack has been weakened in places by rain impact.

Tuesday will be dry, with sunshine and high-altitude cloudbanks. Warmer temperatures will continue in the mountains. At 2000m: 1-5 degrees; at 3000m: -4 degrees. Initially brisk westerly-to-southwesterly winds at high altitudes, slackening off later on in the day.

Avalanche danger receding only slowly at high altitudes