Lower Tauern South

Attention: trigger-sensitive snowdrift masses at high altitude

Attention: trigger-sensitive snowdrift masses at high altitude

Avalanche danger above 2300 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. The fresh snowdrifts can be triggered even by one sole winter sports enthusiast in some places and reach medium size, particularly in the regions where snowfall has been heaviest. The danger zones are located particularly in extended N/E-facing terrain, especially in ridgeline gullies and bowls. Trigger-sensitivity and size of the danger zones increase with ascending altitude. On steep sunny grass-covered slopes, isolated, mostly small glide-snow avalanches are possible.

Fresh snowdrift accumulations are generally small, lie deposited on steep ridgeline slopes atop soft layers. Older drifts lie atop a weak old snowpack surface at high altitudes, particularly in wind-protected shady gullies and bowls on N/E facing slopes. The snowpack at high altitudes is heavily wind-impacted and irregular. At low and intermediate altitudes (<2000 m) there is little snow on the ground.

Clouds will dominate from early morning on Friday, hamper visibility. In the Northern Alps, rainfall can begin starting at midday (snowfall above 1400 m). In the Tauern and Nockberge it will remain dry, but cloud cover will dominate and in the afternoon rainfall (snow showers above 1200 m) will pass through. Brisk westerly winds will arise in the afternoon. At 2000 m: -1 degree; at 3000 m: -8 degrees.

As a result of fresh snow and winds, small snowdrift accumulations can be generated anew.