Lower Tauern South

Rising temperatures, often trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations

Rising temperatures, often trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Above 2000 m, fresh snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop an unfavorable snowpack surface, can often be triggered by 1 person. Below 2000 m, danger zones are diminishing but the danger level remains moderate. Isolated remote triggerings and naturally triggered avalanches in the drifts are possible, medium-sized, drifts are easily recognized for the experienced. Avoid them in steep ridgeline terrain (>30°). Due to rain impact up to above 2000 m, glide-snow activity will increase slightly. Where snow depths are sufficient, large-sized avalanches are possible (most medium-sized). Avoid zones below glide cracks. Due to rain impact, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected in extremely steep terrain, mostly small-sized releases.

On Wednesday night, 5-15 cm of fresh snow is expected, accompanied by wind. Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations have been deposited atop soft layers of facted crystals and atop surface hoar: these are trigger-prone weak layers, the drifts constitute the slab. Older snowdrift accumulations unlikely to trigger, only by large additional loading, otherwise the old snowpack is stable. Due to rainfall the surface layers will forfeit their firmness. The ground is warm, reinforcing the tendency of the entire snowpack to glide downhill over smooth ground (rocks, grass).

On Thursday, clouds will disperse in the morning hours, intermittent sunshine is expected. Dry until evening. At high altitudes in the Tauern, strong-to-brisk southerly winds, elsewhere winds are mostly light. At 2000 m: +1 degree. On Thursday night: snowfall and measurably dropping temperatures.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.