Increased risk of avalanches in Vorarlberg – Vorarlberg –

The deciding factor is the accumulations of fresh snow and blizzard during the day, explained the avalanche warning services of the two westernmost federal states.

Previously small snowdrift accumulations grow above the treeline. These can be activated at all exhibitions by individual winter sports enthusiasts. According to the avalanche warning services of Tyrol and Vorarlberg, these dangerous places are sometimes covered with snow and therefore difficult to detect. Be careful, especially on ridges, ravines and gullies.

The avalanche warning level 3 should also apply unchanged for the next few days, according to the forecast. Depending on the fresh snow and wind, the risk of avalanches will increase even in intermediate locations.

With new snow and snow accumulated at higher altitudes during the day, there is considerable avalanche danger.

Avalanche Hazard Assessment:

At high altitudes there is a considerable risk of avalanches during the day. Hazard areas are mainly found on ridges, behind curves in the terrain, and in blown gutters and holes. The cool snowdrift is prone to failure there. Danger zones grow in size and spread out. Winter sports enthusiasts can now perform small to medium plate throws. Also, especially on very steep and shady slopes in peripheral areas and places with little snow, especially with high additional loads, slabs may come loose. Buzzing and crunching when stepping on snow are danger signs. It is important to have experience evaluating avalanches and choosing a defensive route in the field. Small spontaneous loose snow avalanches are increasingly possible on steep rocky terrain.

Snow cover / general:

Overnight there was a large amount of fresh 6 to 8 inches snow at higher altitudes. With winds sometimes strong or strong from the west, small-scale accumulations of cool snowdrifts were created, especially on ridges, behind curves in the terrain, and in ravines and hollows. Such are prone to failure. New snow and drift are on a predominantly well-consolidated and mostly stable old snow cover. However, the connection to this is often only moderate, locally also weak. Unfavorable interlayers are stored in old snowpack, especially on high, shady slopes.

Christmas Day brings winter conditions with persistent snowfall, poor visibility, and freezing temperatures in the mountains. From Hinterwald to Montafon, it snows constantly and moderately, mainly fresh snow in Bregenzerwald. Also on Lake Constance and in the Rhine Valley, interrupted snow showers. In the immediate vicinity of the shower, a cold wind rises from the northwest. Maximum values: -3 to +2 degrees. Overnight weather: Snowfalls are decreasing and retreating more and more towards the mountains. In the mountains the sky clears in the morning, but in many valleys residual clouds still remain. Lower values: -6 to -1 degrees.

On the coming night, the snowfall subsides. Saturday will be quite sunny during the day with the influence of high blood pressure. It also stays very cold. Depending on the fresh snow and wind, the risk of avalanches will increase even in intermediate locations.

In Stefanietag, high pressure influences the climate in Vorarlberg. The last snowflakes on the mountains fade in the morning, and during the day the sun quickly sets in mist and residual clouds. In the afternoon, the sky is usually clear of clouds. Temperatures are roughly the same as the late December average.

Lower values: -6 to -1 degrees, high values: -2 to +4 degrees.

With the influence of high pressure, dry air prevails. The last flakes of snow between Arlberg and Verwall vanish in the morning, the fog on the hillside dissolves. The afternoon is usually sunny, but very cold.

Temperature in 2000m: -11 degrees, wind in height: moderate from the north sector.

After a clear night with widespread severe frosts, it is initially sunny before fields of high, compact clouds cover the sky and blanket the sun. In the afternoon there is a strong foehn in the mountains, which turns stormy on Monday night and can reach the Upper Rhine Valley and the Walgau.

Lower values: -11 degrees to -4 degrees at Lake Constance, occasionally down to -15 degrees. Maximum values: -2 to +5 degrees.