Lower Tauern North

Warmth and diffuse sunshine - moderate wet-snow problem

Warmth and diffuse sunshine - moderate wet-snow problem

Avalanche danger is MODERATE. Main problem: warmth and diffuse solar radiation, furthern moist-snow slides in steep terrain (naturally triggered or skier-triggered). Also: in extremely steep, rocky terrain, medium wet-snow avalanches can release. Also glide-snow avalanches are becoming more active. Isolated releases are possible in extremely steep grass-covered terrain. They can be medium sized, sometimes large sized. Secondary theme: very few danger zones in shallow-snow transitions in shady steep terrain (persistent weak layer), where large additional loading can trigger (seldom) a slab which can grow to medium size.

The first warm day after a night of overcast skies. The surfaces are becoming soften and moister, and the moisture seeps deeper into the snowpack, particularly on sunny slopes up to 2500m, on shady slopes up to 2000 m The surface of the old snowpack on shady slopes consists of faceted powder at high altitudes. Inside the still compact snowpack there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) soft layers - i.e. persistent weak layer - but these layer are unlikely to trigger at this time.

Cloudbanks above summit level will generate diffuse light on Tuesday. Some intermittent rainfall is anticipated during the night. Light southerly winds. Warmer and moister than in recent days. At 2000 m: up to 3 degrees On Wednesday, heavy cloud cover and slackening precipitation will impede visibility to start with. The higher peaks will get a snow dusting. During the course of the day, the clouds will disperse, sunshine will follow in the afternoon. The NW winds will be blowing at 40-60 km/hr. Temperature at 2000 m: 0 degrees.

No significant change is expected.