The avalanche risk is already considerable below around 2800 m in the morning. Steep areas in the extended northern sector between 2100 m and 2600 m are particularly at risk. Although a melt-freeze crust forms overnight, especially at this altitude, it quickly softens. Wet slab avalanches and loose snow avalanches are to be expected on slopes that have not yet been discharged. This occurs in those aspects where there is still a lot of snow, i.e. also on the south side at high altitudes. Most avalanches are naturally triggered avalanches, with remote triggering possible in isolated cases. Avalanches can become large in some places as wet snow collects and tears through the persistent weak layer and reach atypically long runout lengths. Caution should also be exercised in the apery areas of trenches. There are isolated signs of sliding snow activity.
In a few places above 2400 m, weak layers can also be disturbed directly in the persistent weak layer, especially on west, north and east-facing slopes, and also on the south side in the high Alps. Snow slabs in the dry persistent weak layers remain predominantly medium sized.
Snowpack
The snowpack cools down poorly overnight, only at altitude does a melt-freeze crust form, which softens quickly. There is compact snow underneath, but softer layers are embedded, especially at higher altitudes, which allow fractures near the surface. On shady slopes from around 2400 metres, there are still weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack becomes moist to wet up to high altitudes during daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are covered in snow.
Tendency
The night to Friday will be mostly clear and there will be pronounced daytime changes.
EARLIER Danger level
2500m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2500m
Persistent weak layer
2500m
LATER Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Persistent weak layer
2500m
Naturally triggered avalanches expected during course of day
Rapidly rising wet-snow avalanche danger during course of day
In areas with starkly reduced nocturnal longwave outgoing radiation, the frequency of danger zones will swiftly increase due to daytime warming and initially diffuse solar radiation. Persons can trigger wet slab avalanches in afternoon and naturally triggered avalanches can be expected in all aspects below about 2500m and above that on sunny slopes. Caution urged on on steep shady slopes at 2200-2500m if the breakable crust breaks through or in case of large sink-in depths. Particularly there, wet-snow avalanches can fracture and grow to large size. Avalanche can plummet into steep gullies and green zones. Backcountry tours and ascents to refuges need to be launched early and come to an end early. In addition, winter sports enthusiasts can trigger isolated avalanches in near-surface weak layer on high-altitude shady slopes. Such danger zones are impossible to recognize.
Snowpack
As a result of reduced outgoing radiation, the snowpack can hardly freeze at night. At altitudes of 1800-2500m the ground level rotten snow is thoroughly wet even on north-facing slopes and 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
Increasing impact from a high-pressure front will bring dry, predominantl sunny days and nights of clear skies. Avalanche danger will increase with the daily daytime danger cycle (daytime warming and solar radiation).
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wet snow avalanches detach up to the summit areas
The avalanche risk is moderate. The melt-freeze crust at higher elevations is softening quickly. Wet loose snow and slab avalanches are already possible in the morning on slopes that have not yet been unloaded, with the danger increasing again slightly in the afternoon. This is the case in those aspects where there is still a lot of snow. Avalanches can occur naturally or be triggered by winter sports. They usually remain medium in size, but with the accumulation of wet snow and tearing through to weak layers close to the ground, large avalanches are conceivable in exceptional cases. Caution should also be exercised in the shallow outlet areas of trenches. Small gliding sluffs are occasionally recorded.
Trigger points for dry old snow avalanches are only present at a few high points in the extended northern sector.
Snowpack
The snowpack cools down poorly overnight, only at high altitudes does a thin melt-freeze crust form, which softens quickly. Underneath is compact snow, but on shady slopes from around 2200 metres there are still weak layers of deep rime in the old snowpack near the ground. The snowpack will become moist to wet up to high altitudes during the daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are snowed out.
Tendency
The night to Friday will be mostly clear and there will be pronounced daytime changes.
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, still 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
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Moderate avalanche danger, wet snow danger remains a priority throughout the day
The avalanche risk is moderate. There is a danger of wet loose snow and slab avalanches throughout the day from terrain that has not yet been unloaded as rain, incoming radiation and warming increase. These can detach themselves or be triggered by a small additional load from people and are usually small to medium-sized. Only in a few extremely steep, shady areas above 2200 metres are there avalanche prone locations for small to medium-sized dry slab avalanches. Gliding avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
At night, the isothermal snow cover at high altitudes can consolidate slightly due to outgoing longwave radiation. However, it quickly softens again with rain, radiation and warming. The soaking can reactivate old weak layers in the persistent weak layer, especially on the north side. In all aspects, the soaked snowpack can lose its stability or begin to glide on slippery ground. At low altitude and on the sunny slopes, the snow cover is developing rapidly.
Tendency
On Friday, the weather will gradually calm down with slightly fewer cumulus clouds and a decrease in the risk of showers. There will be little change in the avalanche situation.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wet snow problem - all day long!
The avalanche risk is predominantly moderate at altitudes where there is still a sufficiently thick snowpack. Spontaneous or occasional wet snow avalanches triggered by people are possible at any time from undischarged steep terrain in all aspects up to higher altitudes. Only high alpine and on shady slopes could slab avalanches be triggered in very steep terrain, in some cases by low additional loads.
Snowpack
The snow surface can hardly firmness overnight. The snowpack is wet up to high altitudes on the inside, otherwise it is damp and therefore unstable and continues to break down. Mild temperatures, occasional sunshine and short rain showers further destabilise the snowpack. Only on shady slopes at high altitudes can there still be isolated weak layers in the old snowpack. Low and sunny slopes in the middle of the mountains are bare.
Tendency
Little change.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2200m
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Gliding snow
Rain thaw below 2200 m, possibility of triggering gliding avalanches.
The old snow cover is mostly well connected and generally stable.
Rainfall below 2200 reduces snowpack stability. Where rainwater reaches the thinned layers, natural wet snow avalanches may be triggered.
Gliding avalanches may be triggered.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
In an old snow cover, the snow layers are mostly well connected. More or less deep below the surface, there are several weak layers of faceted snow crystals and discontinuous grains, which are more frequent on slopes at the axis.
On a cloudy night, the surface of the snowpack will not freeze.
There will be some light precipitation on Tuesday evening, with rain softening the upper layers of the snowpack below an altitude of about 2200 m. Where the rain reaches the thinned layers, slightly deeper and larger wet snow avalanches may be triggered. A few centimetres of New fallen snow will fall above 2200 m.
Tendency
Friday will be even sunnier and drier. It will continue to be warm.
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
The snowpack generally cannot freeze enough at night to bear loads. At all altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet up to summit zones.
Tendency
On Wednesday night, still 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
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
Wet snow
1600m
Progressive deaperisation
The avalanche risk is moderate above 1600 metres and low below that. Wet snow is problematic. Wet loose snow and slab avalanches are to be expected above all at high altitudes where there is still a lot of snow. In extremely steep terrain in all aspects of the slope, they release themselves; on very steep slopes, they can be triggered by individuals. On steep slopes with smooth ground, such as on meadow slopes, in patchy mountain forests or on smooth rock slabs, wet gliding avalanches occur. Avalanches reach medium size.
Snowpack
The snowpack is soaked up to high altitudes and consists mainly of snowmelt. In places, layers of faceted crystals are still preserved deep in the snowpack at high altitudes exposed to the north. On the south side, the ground is covered in snow up to above the tree line.
Tendency
Little change.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Small wet snow avalanches in snowy places
The avalanche risk is low. The last remnants of snow can spontaneously descend as small wet snow slides. This increases the risk of avalanches in the fall terrain.
Snowpack
The outgoing longwave radiation at night is poor and the snow cover remains largely isothermal. There is still a little snow in places at altitude, but most of the terrain is already snowed out.
Tendency
Gradual reduction in the avalanche risk as the remaining snow melts and rains away. The night to Friday will be mostly clear.
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 dry air, sunny days and nights of clear skies 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
Low avalanche danger, occasional small wet snow slides possible
The avalanche risk is low. Small wet snow slides can occur occasionally in all aspects, especially from multiple starting zones that have not yet been fully discharged. The risk of entrainment in the fall terrain outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
The thin, mostly isothermal snow cover cannot consolidate sufficiently overnight and is soaked further during the day. There is only a little snow left and the sunny slopes are usually already snowed out.
Tendency
On Friday, the weather will gradually calm down with slightly fewer cumulus clouds and a decrease in the risk of showers. There will be little change in the avalanche situation.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Local wet snow problem!
The avalanche risk is low. On higher steep slopes with a sufficiently thick snowpack, local wet snow avalanches in all aspects are still possible during the day, some of which can reach medium size.
Snowpack
The snow surface can hardly firmness overnight. The snowpack is wet up to high altitudes on the inside, otherwise it is damp and therefore unstable and continues to break down. Mild temperatures, intermittent sunshine and short rain showers further destabilise the snowpack. Low and sunny slopes in the middle of the snowpack are bare.
Tendency
No change.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Increasing snow cover also on the north side
The avalanche risk is low. Wet snow is problematic. In extremely steep terrain, loose snow avalanches can occasionally come loose. Wet gliding avalanches can occur on steep slopes with smooth ground that have not yet been discharged. Avalanche activity is limited to terrain on shady slopes where there is still snow. Wet avalanches usually remain small.
Snowpack
The remaining snowpack is soaked through. The southern sides are largely snowed out.
