Lower Tauern South

Naturally triggering wet loose-snow/glide-snow avalanches

Naturally triggering wet loose-snow/glide-snow avalanches

Avalanche danger above 1400 m is moderate. Small wet loose-snow avalanches and isolated glide-snow avalanches can trigger (daytime cycle). In high/high-alpine regions snowdrifts can trigger a slab (small-to-medium), most danger zones are easily recognized, lie neaer to and distant from ridges, behind discontinuities and in gullies. Most danger zones are on NW/N/SE facing steep slopes, also on south-facing slopes in high-alpine terrain. Above 2400 m, esp. on shady slopes, weak layers can be triggered by large additional loading and releases occasionally grow to large size.

The latest snowfall (5-15 cm) was moistened on Sunday due to radiation and higher temperatures, at least on sunny slopes. Below 2000 m, rain impact is weakening teh snowpack and will continue to do so through Monday. At high altitudes, westerly to northwesterly winds have generated small drifts, these can be triggered by skiers. The snowpack is highly irregular due to storm impact. The snowpack is quite irregular. Possible weak layer for a slab or loose-snow avalanches: faceted crystals on the melt-freeze layer above 2400 m. The old snowpack has been repeatedly made wet up 2000 m, most recently from rain impact. Gliding snow activity has increased.

Nocturnal skies will be overcast, minor precipitation expected, snowfall level 1600-2000 m. On Monday, adequate visibility, intermittent minor rain/snowfall, hardly any sunshine. In afternoon, heavier cloud cover, rainfall and snowfall will set in, snowfall level at 1400-1800 m. At 2000 m: 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -6 degrees. Hardly any wind in the morning, strong W/NW winds in afternoon. All in all, 5-10 cm of fresh snow expected, in the Nockberge it will remain dry. On Monday night further snow showers (5-10 cm).

On Tuesday, heavy snowfall in places, then increasingly sunny. In wind-exposed terrain, danger of slab avalanches will increase.