Lower Tauern South

Increasing wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches

Increasing wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches

Avalanche danger is MODERATE. The gliding snow problem is intensifying due to higher temperatures - in all aspects, at all altitudes, releases can reach medium size in high-altitude starting zones. Naturally triggered avalanches are possible in extremely steep terrain at all altitudes, mostly small, sometimes larger. Wet-snow activity will increase during the course of the day. Above 2600 m, slab avalanches can be triggered on north-facing slopes by 1 person in isolated cases, releases medium-sized. Danger zones increase in frequency and size with ascending altitude.

The snowpack is thoroughly moist or at least superfically moist up to 2300 m. Nocturnal outgoing radiation is reduced, the snowpack quickly softens during the morning. On shady slopes above 2300 m the snowpack is compact with a wind crust capable of bearing loads. During nights with cloudy skies the snowpack cannot achieve sufficient outgoing radiaetion, it softens rapidly in the morning and becomes wetter.

During nocturnal hours, intermittent rainfall will pass through, snow showers above 2100 m. At high altitudes, up to 8 cm of fresh snow expected by morning (1-5 cm in Tauern). Winds from S/W directions will be light to moderate. At 2000 m: 5 degrees; at 3000m: -3 degrees. On Friday, residual clouds till mid-morning. As of midday, often sunshine, light-to-moderate SW winds At 2000 m: 5-10 degrees; at 3000 m: -3 to 1 degree. Only scattered clouds passing through.

Due to warmth, wet-snow and gliding snow problems will intensify.