Wölz Tauern South

Fresh snowdrifts. Considerable danger.

Fresh snowdrifts. Considerable danger.

Avalanche danger in Schladminger Tauern to Eisenerzer Alps is considerable above the treeline. Most danger zones lie in N/E/S aspects, where even minimum additional loading can trigger a slab avalanche. In steep rough and rocky terrain, naturally triggered loose-snow and slab avalanches can be expected. Poor visibility and stormy winds make assessment difficult on-site.

In Niedere Tauern and Eisenerzer Alps the amounts are lesser than in Totes Gebirge: about 20-30 cm was registered. The new snow and drifts blankets surface hoar in wind-protected terrain, or soft layers. Another potential weak layer: inside the snowdrifts themselves. The old snowpack is riddled with faceted crystals and melt-freeze crusts, which weakens it.

Between Schladminger Tauern and Mürzsteger Alps it will snow all day long. Widespread by Sunday, 30-40 cm is expected. A strong NW wind is blowing, gusts up to 100 km/hr. In the southern Niedere Tauern, northerly foehn wind can disperse the cloud cover, some sunshine is possible. At 2000 m: -7 degrees.

In northern barrier cloud regions, further snowfall, slackening off towards evening. Avalanche danger levels will persist.