Lower Tauern Central

High prone to triggering in wind slabs

High prone to triggering in wind slabs

The avalanche risk is high above the tree line (level 4) and moderate below. Individual naturally triggered avalanches are still possible and in many places medium and sometimes large slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals (even from a distance). All aspects are affected, but increasingly north and east-facing steep terrain. Danger areas are not easy to recognise everywhere, which is why caution and a defensive choice of route is still advised. This applies in particular in the area of the tree line and in forest aisles. Wet loose snow and gliding avalanches are possible at low and medium altitudes. These usually remain medium-sized at most, but occasionally the entire snowpack can slide off on very steep, unstructured terrain.

Up to half a metre of fresh new or wind slab snow lies on top of several more thick layers of wind-blown new fallen snow from the last few days. Especially at the beginning, snow fell with less wind and at colder temperatures, which is why soft layers are also embedded. These overlay somewhat older wind slab snow, which in turn lies on an unfavourable base of faceted crystals and deep rime. In wind-protected areas, some surface hoar has also been snowed in. Up to around 1800 metres, the snowpack was at least superficially moistened. Fractures primarily occur between the last snow packs, but can also penetrate through to the old snow foundation, which is usually completely transformed. At low and medium altitudes, heat and rainfall put a strain on the snowpack.

During the night to Monday, precipitation will be light at best. The north-westerly wind will gradually pick up again, reaching gusts of 40 to 60 kilometres per hour. During the day it will be windy and changeable, passing showers will remain unproductive. Occasionally the clouds will soften with strong north-westerly winds (gusts of 50 to 70 km/h in exposed high areas). At 2000 m around 0 degrees, at 3000 m around -7 degrees.

Precipitation will set in again, with rain falling at times up to around 2000 metres on Tuesday. Above that, 20 to 40 cm will fall. The avalanche situation remains tense.