Lower Tauern South

Fresh snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone

Fresh snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone

Avalanche danger above 2100 m is moderate. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by 1 person in some places, releases often medium-sized. On the western sector of the Main Ridge where snowfall was heaviest in the last few days, medium-sized avalanches are likelier. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude, occur near steep ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in W/N/E facing terrain. Snowdrifts are easy to recognize, should be circumvented. There is still latent danger of glide-snow avalanches, most releases medium-sized, occasionally larger. Due to solar radiation, loose-snow avalanches can be expected in extremely steep terrain in the afternoon, mostly small releases.

Due to persistent southerly foehn wind, fresh snowdrift accumulations are being generated, deposited atop a soft surface above 2100 m. Above 2300 m both blanketed surface hoar and faceted crystals near crusts can serve as weak layers, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly moist and compact.

On Friday night, skies north of the Main Alpine Ridge will be clear, on th Main Ridge and southwards therefrom skies will be overcast. On Saturday, frequent sunshine in the Northern Alps, with clouds passing through. In Tauern and Nockberge, heavy clouds will lodge from the south, shroud the peaks, minor snowfall is possible. The southerly winds will be brisk to stormy. In ridgeline and pass areas of the Hohe Tauern, windspeeds of 90 km/hr will be reached. At 2000 m: -3 to 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -7 to -4 degrees.

Due to intensifying foehn wind, frequency of danger zones relevant to snowdrift problem will increase.