Wölz Tauern South

New snowdrift accumulations on west-facing slopes

On Tuesday, widespread snowfall to start with, intensive in the Koralm region. During the day the snowfall will ease. In northern regions it will soon terminate, the clouds slowly disperse. Moderate to brisk NE winds (30-50 km/hr). At 2000 m: -3 degrees. Considerable avalanche danger will persist.

In Niedere Tauern, 20-30 cm of fresh snow has been registered over the last 24 hours. Winds have had great impact. Bonded snow lies atop a soft layer and is prone to triggering. Inside the old snowpack there are weak layers of faceted crystals.

At the edge of a low over Italy, the front has the southeastern regions in its grip. Weather conditions are highly inhospitable: heavy clouds, peaks wreathed in fog, snowfall in the western regions of Styria: intensive and persistent, focal point in the Gaaler and southern Wölzer Tauern. Between Monday midday and Tuesday midday, more than 50 cm of fresh snow is anticipated, plus stormy E/NE winds (up to 80 km/hr). In Schladminger Tauern, much less snowfall. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. Snowfall level at about 800 m.

New snowdrift accumulations on west-facing slopes

Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable. Danger zones are increasing in number since the easterly wind has deposited new drifts (atypically) on west-facing slopes. At high altitudes on north and east-facing slopes there are older drifts. Danger zones lie near to and distant from ridgelines, behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Glide cracks should be seen as signals of potential danger. The drifts should not be underestimated at high altitudes! Gullies have been wind-loaded in all aspects. A slab release is possible even with minimum additional loading. Loose-snow and slab avalanches can be naturally triggered even as the snow falls.