Lower Tauern Central

Danger zones where snow is shallow in transitions. Heed foehn-induced drifts on Main Tauern Ridge.

Danger zones where snow is shallow in transitions. Heed foehn-induced drifts on Main Tauern Ridge.

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is MODERATE (2), elsewhere danger is LOW. Caution is urged in shady and high-alpine steep zones where the snow is shallow and in steep transitions and gullies, where large additional loading can trigger a slab and avalanches can grow to medium-to-large size. Most danger zones occur on W/N/E facing slopes in terrain distant from ridges and in steep gullies. The fresh, thin, small snowdrift patches on N/E/SW facing ridgeline slopes are easily triggered, the greatest risk is being forced to fall. In sun-drenched rocky steep terrain, naturally triggered small-to-medium loose-snow avalanches are possible.

There was 10-20 cm of fresh snow registered widespread, loose powder atop a compact old snowpack. Near ridges the surface is wind-impacted and these effect increase with ascending altitude. At high and high-alpine altitudes there are thin snowdrifts generated by N/NW winds atop a loose base which are prone to triggering. Particularly on the Main Tauern Ridge there are snowdrifts - now blanketed - generated by Thursday’s foehn wind. Inside the old snowpack are soft layers of faceted crystals. This layer is currently triggerable only in isolated cases.

On Sunday, low lying residual cloud will disperse, along with the fogbanks, in the morning. Then follows unimpeded sunshin. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. On Monday, sunshine and outstanding visibility. Cold. Northerly winds will intensify somewhat in high-altitude zones.

Little change.