Lower Tauern South

Danger zones in shallow-snow transitions and steep ridgeline slopes

Danger zones in shallow-snow transitions and steep ridgeline slopes

Avalanche danger above 2100 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Caution is required in transitions in shady and high-alpine steep terrain, where large additional loading can trigger AN OLDER SNOWDRIFT MASS, then grow to a medium-to-large sized avalanche. Most danger zones are in W/N/E aspects distant from ridges and in steep gullies. The fresh snowdrifts in E/S/W facing ridgeline terrain are generally thin, the biggest risk is being forced to take a fall. On sun-drenched steep rocky slopes, naturally triggered small avalanches are possible. Due to the dry air, the slopes are not moistening much.

Loose powder (15-25 cm) lies atop a compact old snowpack surface. Near ridges the surface is wind-impacted, this influence increases with ascending altitude. Thin, soft snowdrift masses often are deposited atop soft layers. Older snowdrift accumulations from last week are still instable on extremely steep slopes, as several triggerings showed over the weekend. More deeply embedded faceted-soft layers are unlikely to trigger.

On Tuesday, superb weather, visibility more than 100 km, azure skies, light winds (30 km/hr on Main Alpine Ridge in exposed zones). Slightly higher temperatures. At 2000 m: -4 degrees, at 3000 m: -9 degrees. On Wednesday, good visibility, initially very sunny. Clouds will move in during the afternoon, the light conditions become diffuse. Little wind. At 2000 m: -3 degrees; at 3000 m: -8 degrees.

No significant change is expected. Steep sunny slopes will moisten.