Lower Tauern Central

Danger zones esp. on shady, wind-protected slopes

Danger zones esp. on shady, wind-protected slopes

Weak layers in the old snow are the main danger. Avalanche prone locations are found on steep (>30°) shady wind-protected slopes above the timberline and in all aspects at high altitudes. Ridgeline discontinuities, gullies and the bowls at the foot of cliffs are particularly unfavourable. Avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognize, even for the experienced. Avalanches can be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast and attain medium size, particularly in areas where snowfall has been heavy. Alarm signals: ‘whumpf’ noises and glide-cracks. In addition, fresh snowdrift accumulations in ridgeline terrain in NE-E-S aspects are still prone to triggering. Mostly they are easy to recognize and circumvent.

Snow depths: 40-90 cm. Since Friday, another 15-20 cm of loose snow has been added, locally up to 35 cm. It is not settling, due to the low temperatures. Particularly on shady slopes, snowpack layering is currently unfavourable. The snow cover is expansively metamorphosed (faceted) nearly down to the ground, including embedded melt-freeze crusts. Near forested zones and in wind-protected areas the surface hoar has been blanketed by fresh snowfall. Fresh snow and drifts are being deposited atop this weak old snowpack surface, it is prone to triggering. Near ridgelines the small freshly-generated snowdrift accumulations on the old snowpack surface are prone to triggering. In some places there is surface hoar.

Tuesday: mostly sunshine. At high altitudes of the Tauern, southerly winds will reach speeds of 40 km/hr. Temperatures will rise, at 2000 m from -11 to -6 degrees; at 3000 m from -7 to -12 degrees. Wednesday: in Tauern and Nockberge, intermittent sunshine with some dispersed clouds. In the Northern Alps, clouds will be heavier, a bit of snowfall/rainfall is possible in the afternoon. Southerly winds will make it milder. At 2000 m: 0 degrees; at 3000 m; -6 degrees.

Gradually decreasing danger due to rising temperatures.