Lower Tauern South

Significant rise in danger of wet-snow avalanches during daytime hours

Significant rise in danger of wet-snow avalanches during daytime hours

Avalanche danger in the morning is generally LOW, rises to MODERATE. Tours should be terminated early in the day. Morning: very favourable conditions for tours. On extremely steep (>40°) sunny slopes (E/S/W) small to medium naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches are possible. Avalanches will be small. Caution in fall-endangered terrain. Afternoon: due to solar radiation and warmth, risks of wet snow avalanches rise sharply during the day above 1800 and up to 2600 m. On extremely steep (>40°) sunny slopes (E/S/W) small to medium naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches are possible. In addition, on west-facing slopes small-to-medium wet slab avalanches are possible to trigger naturally on steep grassy slopes or over smooth rock walls.

Due to warmth and direct or diffuse solar radiation the snowdrifts have settled and consolidated. Only in high alpine shady terrain is the bonding still insufficient. Deep down in the snowpack above 2200 m there are faceted layers. The snowpack was moistened in all aspected up to 2200 m on Friday, on sunny slopes up to summit level. During the night of only partially clear skies the outgoing radiation will be reduced, the melt-freeze crust which forms will not be able to bear loads. It will soften up on Saturday. On steep sunny slopes it is wet down to the ground, on west-facing slopes it will become isotherm for the first time on Saturday, down to the ground. Due to wetness the snowpack loses its firmness. Weak layers are weakened further still. Also, free flowing water at ground level increases the gliding movement.

Sunny weather all day long, light to moderate winds. At 2000m: 4 degrees; at 3000 m: -1 degree.

No change is expected.