Snow and Avalanche Reports
Snow report
Snow and Avalanche Status Report – 12.12.2019, 07:30
Heed trigger-sensitive snowdrifts at high altitudes
Source of chars and avalanche status report: Landeswarnzentrale Vorarlberg - Avalanche Status Report
Regional danger levels
Problem: drifting snow
2000 m
Common level
Tendency for tomorrow
https://warnung.vorarlberg.at/vtgdb/lawine/bilder_mail/EAWS/tendenz_steigend.png
Avalanche danger assessment
Avalanche danger in the southern regions is moderate, above approximately 2000 m danger is considerable in places. Caution is urged towards fresh and older snowdrift accumulations, particularly in N/E/SW aspects. The fresh snow blankets the older snowdrift accumulations, making them difficult to recognize. The snowdrifts on shady slopes were deposited atop an unfavourable old snowpack surface and are prone to triggering. Releases can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers and grow to quite large size. Whumpf-sounds and glide cracks which appear when treading the surface are indicators of present danger. Avalanche prone locations increase in size and frequency with ascending altitude. The inexperienced should not leave secured ski runs.
Snow cover / General info
Yesterday skies became increasingly overcast during the course of the day. Winds were northerly, generally light. During the night, temperatures dropped noticeably, the NW wind intensified and 5-8 cm of fresh snow was registered. The fresh snow was transported at high altitude, crests and knolls are windblown. The fresh and older drifts were deposited, particularly on shady slopes, atop unfavourable, faceted layers; avalanches can fracture down to these layers. At lower altitudes and on sunny slopes, there was generally no cohesive, area-wide snowpack prior to the most recent snowfall.
Alpine weather forecast (ZAMG-Weather Service Innsbruck)
Frequent mildly intense bouts of snowfall. Dry conditions are expected to set in again soon, the clouds will disperse and the sun will come out. It is measurably colder than yesterday. Temperature at 2000 m: -9 degrees. Winds are brisk to strong from westerly directions.
Tendency for tomorrow
Friday and Saturday will be windy and wet. Winds are intensifying, leading to renewed snow transport. Avalanche danger will increase as a result. Herbert Knünz Translated from the German by Jeffrey McCabe
This bulletin describes the overall situation. Please heed additional recommendations of local avalanche commissions or security services.