Lower Tauern South

Snowdrift accumulations esp. on steep shady slopes and atop weak old layers

Snowdrift accumulations esp. on steep shady slopes and atop weak old layers

Avalanche danger is low, the major danger stems from snowdrifts. Particularly on very steep shady slopes above the timberline, slab avalanches can be triggered in isolated cases by minimum additional loading. Danger zones occur also distant from ridges, behind protruberances and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, particularly on W/N/E facing slopes. On steep shady slopes, fractures down to more deeply embedded layers are possible, thus making avalanches grow larger. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deeper snow. Isolated naturally triggered glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night.

Often hardened snowdrift masses have been deposited on shady slopes atop an explansively metamorphosed surface over the last few days. On shady slopes, small fresh snowdrift patches are being generated. In wind-protected shady terrain, the surface is often rewarding for skiers, faceted, expansively metamorphosed power. In wind-exposed terrain the surface is highly varied, foehn conditions are being generated on steep sunny slopes.

On Thursday, intermittent sunshine, widespread high-altitude clouds will generate diffuse light conditions. In the afternoon, the lower border of the cloud cover will descend, showers will be frequent esp. in Northern Alps, persist into the evening. Snowfall above 800-1000m, but only minor amounts expected. Brisk to strong-velocity W/SW winds, reaching windspeeds in the morning of 60 km/hr. At 2000m: -4 to +3 degrees; at 3000m: between -8 and -4 degrees.

No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated