Lower Tauern South

Mostly favorable. Caution on very steep, shallow-snow slopes. Maintain distances.

Mostly favorable. Caution on very steep, shallow-snow slopes. Maintain distances.

Avalanche danger above 1600 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Two moderate problems: persistent weak layer – this is the dominant theme of the moment, though hardly detectable from the snowpack surface. Potential weak layers inside the snowpack are likeliest in transitions into wind-loaded zones (often where snow is shallow). All in all the terrain has few spots where large additional loading (a fall, a group without distances, stomping) can trigger a slab avalanche. But if a slab triggers it can grow to large size. Second problem: snowdrift threat – the fresh drift are small and thin. On steep slopes they can trigger a small avalanche. In extremely steep terrain they can be triggered by a fall.

The latest round of fresh snow was transported on Sunday in the Tauern and exposed zones of the Northern Alps. Small snowdrift masses were generated, currently not very prone to triggering. Beneath the fresh snow are compact layers which distribute the dynamic forces well. Inside the old snowpack, particularly on north-facing slopes, are faceted crystals which tend towards fracture propagation.

Monday will bring clear skies, outstanding mountain weather with but a few cirrus clouds in the morning. Winds will be light to moderate. Temperatures will rise. At 2000 m: 0 degrees. On Tuesday, heavy cloud cover will move in, visibility will be impaired swiftly. Fresh snow in 24 hours: 10-20 cm. Winds will shift to northwesterly, reach 30-40 km/hr. At 2000 m: -5 degrees.

As a result of fresh snow and wind, the situation is changing. A “fresh-snow problem”. Danger level: MODERATE (2), and at higher altitudes CONSIDERABLE (3).