Lower Tauern South

Avoid zones below glide cracks. Persistent weak layer above 2800 m.

Avoid zones below glide cracks. Persistent weak layer above 2800 m.

Avalanche danger is moderate. Main problem: gliding snow. Up to 2600 m glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day, esp. on steep slopes with smooth ground (grass, rocks) in all aspects. Avalanches can grow to medium size. Avoid zones below glide cracks. Weak layers in the old snow above 2800 m can be triggered in a few danger zones, mostly by large additional loading (group, collapsing cornice), avalanches can grow to medium size, danger zones increase with ascending altitiude.

Stormy winds have done their work on the high-alpine snowpack, variable surfaces should be expected during descents. Up to 2300 m the snowpack surface is riddled with water seepage channels, up to 2700 m there is a surface crust. Inside the snowdrifts from last weekend above 2700 m there are several icy films resulting from the fluctuating snowfall leels On high shady slopes there are faceted crystals beneath these films. On Wednesday night the uppermost layer will freeze, also at low altitudes, and a crust will form which is capable of bearing loads, which can turn to firn on south-facing slopes the next day. The ground is warm, thus, the entire snowpack is gliding downhill over smooth surfaces.

On Thursday, sunshine and good visibility, nearly cloudless skies, clouds moving in from the west later on, bringing diffuse light conditions. Wind will be light. At 2000 m: 2 to 5 degrees; at 3000 m: -1 degree.

The danger of glide-snow avalanches will persist.