Lower Tauern South

Still treacherous! Lots of snowdrift accumulations in open terrain.

Still treacherous! Lots of snowdrift accumulations in open terrain.

Restraint is imperative. Strong winds and the concealed old-snow problem (intensifying with ascending altitude) have created numerous danger zones which can be triggered even by the weight of one single person. Above the treeline, avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. Caution and restraint applies to all aspects, but NE/S/SW aspects are particularly treacherous. The triggered slabs can be large-sized. Due to windblown terrain and the general roughness of the ground in backcountry touring zones, avalanche prone locations can easily be underestimated.

Fresh snow 30-50 cm) loosely-packed and very cold, lies deposited on a relatively compact old snowpack. Winds are strong, generating wide-ranging snowdrift masses which are easily triggered on the loose and cold snow. Above 2200 m, at least in northern aspects, there is a thin fracturable layer of old snow from mid-November beneath the melt-freeze crust.

On Monday the peaks will often be veiled in cloud, minor snowfall is possible. In the afternoon the clouds will gradually begin to disperse, starting in the Pinzgau, some sunshine will make itself felt, more in the south. As of 2000 m and in the saddles on the Main Alpine Ridge an intermittently moderate strength NW wind will be blowing at 40-60 km/hr. At 2000 m: -10 degrees, at 3000 m: -16 degrees. On Tuesday, heavy cloud cover will move in, snowfall is anticipated (about 5 cm). Above the treeline, a W/NW wind will be blowing strongly enough to transport the snow. Ongoingly cold.

The tense situation will persist. Lots of drifts in open terrain, easily triggered. Experience and restraing remain essential.