Naturally triggered avalanches expected during course of day
Dangerous avalanche situation widespread during daytime. Main danger: wet snow.
Due to starkly reduced nocturnal outgoing radiation in many places, the snowpack is hardly freezing except in high alpine regions. Below about 2500m the snowpack is softened already in early morning and persons can trigger wet-snow slab avalanches. As a result of daytime warming and solar radiation, frequency of avalanche prone locations rapidly increases so that during afternoon, numerous naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches can be expected in all aspects below about 2600m, above that altitude on sunny slopes. Caution urged above all on steep shady slopes at 2200-2600m, where wet-snow avalanches can fracture in the weak old snow and grow to large size, in isolated cases also in freeriding terrain which has been heavily tracked and skied. Avalanches can plummet into steep gullies down to forested areas. Backcountry tours and ascents to refuges need to be launched early in the day and brought to a close early. In addition, winter sports enthusiasts can in isolated cases trigger avalanches in near-surface weak layers on high-altitude shady slopes. Such danger zones are impossible to recognize.
Snowpack
Following starkly reduced outgoing radiation, the snowpack is hardly freezing at night. At altitudes of 1800-2500m the ground level layer of rotten snow is thoroughly wet, even on north-facing slopes, and is prone to triggering. On high-altitude shady slopes there are unfavorable intermediate layers in the uppermost layer of the snowpack which in places can be triggered. A thick mid-section of compact layers blankets the deep hoar and faceted crystals at the base of the snowpack.
Tendency
On Wednesday night, reduced outgoing longwave radiation is again anticipated. Gradually, high-pressure front conditions with mild temperatures will prevail. The snowpack surface barely freezes and rapidly softens in the morning. Due to daytime warming and solar radiation, danger of wet-snow avalanches increases during daytime hours.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Wet-snow danger in very steep terrain where there is still lots of snow
Persons can trigger wet-snow avalanches in very steep terrain. Danger zones generally occur only in summit zones of the Bregenzerwald mountains. Avalanches generally remain medium-sized. On steep, smooth-ground slopes with lots of snow which have not yet discharged, glide-snow avalanches can trigger in all aspects.
Snowpack
Due to reduced nocturnal longwave outgoing radiation and ongoing mild temperatures, the snowpack does not freeze at night. At all altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet.
Tendency
On Wednesday night, reduced outgoing longwave radiation is again anticipated. Gradually, high-pressure front conditions with mild temperatures will prevail. The slopes are continually becoming bare of snow.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Wet-snow danger in very steep terrain where there is still lots of snow
Persons can trigger wet-snow avalanches in very steep terrain. Danger zones generally occur only in summit zones of the Bregenzerwald mountains. Avalanches generally remain medium-sized. On steep, smooth-ground slopes with lots of snow which have not yet discharged, glide-snow avalanches can trigger in all aspects.
Snowpack
Due to reduced nocturnal longwave outgoing radiation and ongoing mild temperatures, the snowpack does not freeze at night. At all altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet.
Tendency
On Wednesday night, reduced outgoing longwave radiation is again anticipated. Gradually, high-pressure front conditions with mild temperatures will prevail. The slopes are continually becoming bare of snow.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Small wet-snow slides possible
Persons can trigger wet loose-snow avalanches in steep terrain where there is sufficient snow on the ground. Avalanches will be mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
The ground is largely bare of snow. Where there is a snowpack, it is thoroughly wet.
Tendency
Gradually, high-pressure front conditions with mild temperatures will prevail. The slopes are continually becoming bare of snow.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Small wet-snow slides possible
Persons can trigger wet loose-snow avalanches in steep terrain where there is sufficient snow on the ground. Avalanches will be mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
The ground is largely bare of snow. Where there is a snowpack, it is thoroughly wet.
Tendency
Gradually, high-pressure front conditions with mild temperatures will prevail. The slopes are continually becoming bare of snow.
