Lower Tauern South

Tricky - avoid fresh wind slab at all costs

Tricky - avoid fresh wind slab at all costs

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line (also in forest aisles and in sparse high forest). New fallen snow and extensive snowdrift accumulations are very prone to triggering in some places above the tree line in all aspects. Snow slabs can be triggered in layers close to the surface and can reach medium size. Avalanches can also break through into layers of the snowpack close to the ground and become large on west, north and east-facing slopes. In some cases, the wind slab is covered by snow again, and avalanche prone locations are sometimes difficult to recognise. Naturally triggered avalanches (both slabby and soft) are also to be expected in very steep, extreme terrain.

Wind slab (partly covered by snow) lies on a weak old snowpack. There are weak layers in the upper part of the old snowpack as well as deeper down (faceted crystals on crusts). Close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. Snow slabs break mainly within the fresh wind slab and new fallen snow layers, as well as on one of the uppermost weak layers in the persistent weak layer. Under unfavourable circumstances, however, a weak layer close to the ground can also be affected.

A striking cold front will pass through during the night. On Thursday, windy and cold north-westerly weather with dense clouds and prolonged snowfall in the north-facing mountains. At 2000 metres around -9 degrees, at 3000 metres around -15 degrees. Strong to stormy north-westerly winds on the mountains, in Lungau the north-westerly wind will reach the valleys as a northerly foehn. From Wednesday evening to Thursday evening, 30 cm to 50 cm of new fallen snow.

The avalanche danger remains for the time being.