Lower Tauern South

Wind-loaded zones treacherous esp. near ridgelines

Wind-loaded zones treacherous esp. near ridgelines

Danger is still CONSIDERABLE (3), below that altitude danger is MODERATE. The danger stems primarily from fresh and older snowdrifts. Backcountry tours at high altitude demand caution and restraint. Above the treeline there are spots where one sole person can trigger a slab, whether in ascent or descent. Avalanches can grow to large size. Most treacherous is steep ridgeline terrain in extended eastern aspects (N/E/S), steep gullies and protruberances distant from ridgelines. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in very steep grassy terrain. They can become medium sized, in isolated cases large sized.

The heavy snowfall from the beginning of the week has settled well thanks to sunny and mild weather conditions. Trigger-sensitivity and naturally triggered activity of slab avalanches have decrease significantly. But there are still potential fracture points for slab avalanches beneath the superficially wind-pressed snow in exposed terrain inside the masses of fresh snow themselves and at the borders to the old snowpack (soft, faceted crystals). Atop them lie thin layers of fresh snow (max.5 cm) which were transported by NW winds and generated shallow drifts. On very steep grassy slopes below 1800 m the entire snowpack is gliding over the ground in some places.

On Friday night, minor snowfall (max.5 cm). Along the Tauern, a bit of light snowfall is possible until morning as the clouds begin to disperse. Later on, visibility will improve, also in the inneralpine regions. At intermediate altitudes, brisk NW winds, at high altitudes blowing at 50-70 km/hr. At 2000 m: -7 degrees; at 3000 m: -13 degrees. On Sunday, high clouds will impede the sun, light conditions can be diffuse, but visibility will be adequate. At intermediate altitudes, a moderate to brisk SW wind will be blowing, strong on the Main Tauern Ridge. At 2000 m: -3 degrees; at 3000 m: -9 degrees.

Little change expected. Heed fresh snowdrifts.