Lower Tauern South

Avoid zones below glide cracks

Avoid zones below glide cracks

Avalanche danger is moderate up to 2600 m. Main problem: gliding snow. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally up to 2600 m at any time of day, esp on steep slopes with smooth ground beneath (grass, rocks) in all aspects. They can be medium-sized. Avoid zones below glide cracks. Above 2600 m the dangers of falling outweigh those of avalanches. Weak layers in the old snow can trigger above 2800 m in a few places, usually by large additional loading (groups, cornice collapsing). Releases can be medium-sized. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude.

The snowpack at high altitudes shows harsh wind impact, snow is irregular. At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is moist/wet. Up to 2300 m there are rain seepage channels throughout the near-surface part. There are crusts up to 2700 m, also icy films near crusts.The snowdrifts from last weekend have bonded well, sometimes with a soft faceted layer in transitions to the old snowpack, also at high altitudes (>2800 m) on sunny slopes. Above 2500 m there are deeply embedded faceted layers near crusts. On Friday night the upper level will freeze, even at low altitudes, and form a crust capable of bearing loads. In the Northern Alps, outgoing radiation is reduced. The crusts can turn to firn snow during the day on Saturday. The ground is warm, thus, the entire snowpack is gliding downhill over smooth surfaces.

Often clear nocturnal skies but for a few cirrus clouds. The W/S winds will be light-to-moderate. On Saturday a few cloudbanks will pass through, only hindering visibility slightly. In the afternoon, more sunshine. Mild air. At 3000 m: -6 degrees.

The danger of glide-snow avalanches will persist.