Lower Tauern South

Consider persistent weak layer in tour planning

Consider persistent weak layer in tour planning

The avalanche risk is considerable from around 2000 m, below that it is low. In a few places, medium to large dry slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals, especially on shady slopes. Most avalanche prone locations are in the north and east sectors, at higher altitudes (from around 2400 m) they also occur on the west and south sides. Take care in the transition from little to more snow. Danger areas are difficult to recognise away from obvious pillows of wind drifted snow. Caution and a defensive choice of route is still advised, especially when danger signs such as booming noises, cracks and fresh avalanches occur. Individual gliding avalanches occur on steep grassy terrain. Wet loose snow avalanches and snow slabs from sunny slopes that have not yet been unloaded are also possible.

On the sunny slopes, the snowpack briefly carries a (more or less load-bearing) melt-freeze crust, below which it is moist up to high altitudes. There is still soft, dry snow on the shady slopes. The new and wind slab snow of the last week has settled and is often well connected to each other. However, the connection to the angular persistent weak layer below is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers are often already snowed out.

It will be variably cloudy during the night. In addition to patches of high fog in the valleys, some denser, medium-high clouds will also pass above the peaks. The sun will shine at times on Tuesday. High fog may restrict visibility near the valleys, while clouds moving through at higher altitudes may be quite dense in places. Local showers are possible in the late afternoon, snow will fall above around 1600 metres. The wind will be mostly light at all altitudes. Temperatures at 2000 m around 0 degrees, at 3000 m around -8 degrees.

The persistent weak layer problem continues to make the situation in the terrain difficult to calculate. There will be slight daytime changes in wet avalanches on Wednesday.