Lower Tauern South

Naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches in extremely steep terrain

On Wednesday the peaks will often be veiled in clouds, visibility is reduced. Most rainfall/snowfall is expected in the Northern Alps. The snowfall level will ascend from 1200m to 1700 m in the course of the day. In high alpine regions, a moderate northerly wind will be blowing. At 2000 m: -4 to 0 degrees; at 3000 m, -8 degrees. On Thursday, frequent sunshine. During the course of the day, a few convective clouds will accumulate, visibility will be adequate. A light to moderate northerly wind will be blowing. At 2000 m: -2 to +3 degrees; at 3000 m: -5 degrees.

On Thursday, numerous loose-snow avalanches are expected in sun-drenched steep terrain. Small snowdrift problem, the trigger-sensitivity will swiftly recede. Wet-snow problem at intermediate altitudes due to the fresh fallen snow rapidly becoming thoroughly wet.

Naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches in extremely steep terrain

Avalanche danger is LOW, superficial moist loose-snow avalanches (mostly small, seldom medium-sized) in extremely steep terrain are the main danger. At high and high alpine altitudes, particularly on N/E facing slopes near ridges and in gullies thin snowdrift accumulations cause danger zones. In isolated cases, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches (small-to-medium) are possible.

There has been 10-20 cm of fresh snow registered atop a predominantly well consolidated base, in exposed regions the snow is bonded by winds from W/NW. Snowdrifts are small, particularly on N/E facing slopes. Trigger-sensitivity increases with ascending altitude. Otherwise the snowpack is encrusted in early morning, then softens during the daytime. The old snowpack is generally compact, in places a weak layer has formed around the Sahara-dust encrusted layer, but is hardly triggered, except by large additional loading (e.g. an avalanche).