Lower Tauern South

Fresh snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone

Fresh snowdrift accumulations trigger-prone

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by 1 person in some places, releases often medium-sized. Snowdrifts will increase in thicknes in the afternoon as snowfall intensifies. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude, occur near steep ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in all aspects. Snowdrifts are easy to recognize, should be circumvented; on the Main Alpine Ridge drifts are harder to recognize due to diffuse light. There is still latent danger of glide-snow avalanches, most releases medium-sized, occasionally larger. Due to solar radiation, loose-snow avalanches can be expected in extremely steep terrain in the afternoon, mostly small releases.

Due to persistent southerly foehn wind, fresh snowdrift accumulations are being generated, deposited atop a soft surface above 2000 m. Above 2300 m both blanketed surface hoar and faceted crystals near crusts can serve as weak layers, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly moist and compact.

On Sunday the foehn wind will reach its acme, blowing at storm strength in high-altiude Tauern regions and foehn lanes. The Tauern peaks will often be shrouded in clouds, most rainfall/snowfall on the Main Alpine Ridge will be in afternoon, snowfall level at 1800 m. By evening, 5-10 cm of fresh snow is expected. North of the Main Alpine Ridge cloudbanks will pass through, intermittent sunshine is possible, visibility somewhat reduced. At 2000 m: 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -5 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.