Lower Tauern South

Few danger zones in transitions where the snow is shallow

Few danger zones in transitions where the snow is shallow

The situation is unchanged: avalanche danger is LOW. Only in very few places can large addtional loading trigger a slab avalanche, most likely in transitions where snow is shallow, into deeper snow, in shady and extremely steep terrain. Then, avalanches can grow to medium size. Most avalanche prone locations occur in W/N/E aspects distant from ridgelines and in steep gullies. In high alpine regions (above 2600m) these rare avalanche prone locations (shallow-snow transitions in very steep terrain) cannot be ruled out on E/S facing slopes as well.

On shady slopes there is old powder atop a compact old snowpack. On sunny slopes there is melt-freeze crusting. It is still too cold and too dry for firn snow. Hidden inside the old snow are soft layers of expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystals, but are unlikely to trigger.

On Tuesday, sunshine from the start, outstanding visibility. Not much wind. Temperatures slightly higher. At midday at 2000 m: -10 to -5 degrees; at 3000 m: -13 to -10 degrees. On Wednesday, sunny mountain weather, excellent visibility. In the Tauern at high altitudes the N/NW winds will reach 40 km/hr, at lower altitudes the winds will not disturb. At 2000 m at midday: -4 degrees; at 3000 m: -11 degrees.

No significant change is expected. The steep south-facing slopes will be moistened for a few hours.