Wölz Tauern South

Particularly weak persistent weak layers and older wind slabs are still prone to triggering

Particularly weak persistent weak layers and older wind slabs are still prone to triggering

The avalanche risk is assessed as moderate above the tree line and low below. There is still a persistent weak layer problem in the northern and eastern exposures. In addition, fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can be triggered as small slab avalanches by low additional loads. Medium-sized slab avalanches are also possible when breaking through the weak old snowpack. The danger areas are mainly located in the transition from little to more snow as well as behind terrain edges and in the entrance area of gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are often difficult to recognise.

Older wind slabs are still prone to triggering in higher, steeper areas. There is significantly more snow in shady gullies and bowls than on sunny slopes. Here, the snowpack is moistened by incoming radiation. In the northern and eastern exposures, the old snowpack continues to be weakened by crusts and layers with faceted crystals and floating snow; the persistent weak layer problem remains. There is still significantly less snow than average. The snowpack is moistened on the sunny slopes and at lower elevations.

During the night to Sunday, fog will form in many places, reaching up to 2000 metres. With a weak high-pressure influence, the high fog will lift in places during the day, with sunshine coming through, especially on the northern side of the Alps and in the western mountain groups. In general, the higher peaks around 2000 metres should be clear everywhere. Unproductive precipitation may fall from the fog in places. Temperatures at 2000 metres will be between -4 and -1 degrees, at 1500 metres between -2 and +1 degrees. The wind will be light from westerly directions.

On Friday, there will be a brief intermittent high with some sunny spells. In the afternoon, it will start to get cloudy again from the west. The avalanche danger decreases slightly.