Lower Tauern Central

Isolated medium-sized wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches

Isolated medium-sized wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches

Avalanche danger is initially low, then rises to moderate. In a few places on steep slopes below 2800m, small-to-medium moist/wet avalanches can trigger naturally, or be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. In isolated cases, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. In the Hohe Tauern above 2800m in wind loaded shady terrain, in shady gullies and bowls, dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading. In isolated cases avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers and then grow to medium size.

The still evident snowpack below 2000m has turned to summer-firn snow. Even above that altitude the snow is moist or wet, contains melt-freeze crusts, though the overall somepack is quite compact. In places, there are a few cm of fresh snow deposited atop this old snowpack surface. In high-alpine zones, storm-strength southerly foehn winds have transported the snow in places. In shady aspects above 2800m, faceted expansively metamorphosed old snow constitutes a potential weak layer. Higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation moisten the snowpack and cause it to lose its firmness.

Nighttime skies will be star-studded. On Sunday, sunshine to start with, but cirrus clouds will soon move in and dust from the Sahara Desert will hamper the sunshine. Later on, convective cloud build-up, possible brief showers. Light to moderate winds.. At 2000m: 4-9 degrees; at 3000m: 0 degrees.

Springtime situation: slight daytime danger cycle due to wet-snow avalanche activity. Snowdrift problem receding.