Lower Tauern South

Avalanche prone locations due to trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche prone locations due to trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations

Above the treeline, the danger of slab avalanches is CONSIDERABLE (level 3), below that altitude, danger is low. Avalanche prone locations occur particularly on NE-E-S facing steep slopes, behind protruberances in the terrain and in gullies, including zones distant from ridgelines as a result of wind impact. Even minimum additional loading is sufficient to trigger a small and medium-sized slab (that means one single person!). Poor visibility makes it more difficult to recognize danger zones. Below the timberline the danger stems from naturally triggered, mostly small-sized glide-snow avalanches, particularly on very steep grass-covered slopes which before Friday were bare of snow.

By Saturday morning, 20-30 cm of fresh snow is anticipated over widespread areas, up to 50 cm on Steinernes Meer and Hochkönig. Above 1500-1700 m there is a cohesive, area-wide old snowpack, frequently melt-freeze encrusted through warmth, rainfall (up to high alpine regions) and wind impact. Beneath these crusts are faceted crystals which as yet show no trigger-sensitivity (caveat: very few stability tests have been conducted). Potential fracture points for slab avalanches are to be expected inside the fresh snow. At lower altitudes the snow will fall mostly on bare ground.

Thick clouds and snow showers will reduce visibility severely on Saturday. The snowfall will slacken off later on, there will be occasional interims, later in the day the showers can increase again and continue through the night. Particularly at high altitudes, a stormy and very cold NW wind will be blowing, on the ridgelines of the Tauern reaching 100 km/hr. At 2000 m, -12 degrees; at 3000 m, -19 degrees. By Sunday morning, 10-20 cm of fresh snow expected, as much as 30 cm in Hohe Tauern and Northern Alps. On Sunday, heavy cloud will predominate above the summits, light snow showers will pass through, bringing only minor amounts of fresh snow. In the ridgeline terrain of the Tauern, the NW wind will continue to reach speeds of 100 km/hr. At 2000 m, -12 to -9 degrees; at 3000 m, -19 to -16 degrees. On Monday, variably cloudy skies above the summits with brief sunny intervals, the light often diffuse. There will be no precipitation. Winds will be light, along the Tauern the southerly foehn wind will reach 0-60 km/hr. Higher temperatures: at 2000 m, -6 degrees; at 3000 m, -12 degrees.

The considerable danger of slab avalanches in some zones will persist at the beginning of the week. Additional avalanche prone locations also to be found on north-facing slopes along the Tauern due to southerly foehn wind impact.