Lower Tauern South

Snowdrift masses are easily triggered

Snowdrift masses are easily triggered

Avalanche danger above the treeline is CONSIDERABLE (3), below that altitude danger is LOW. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by the impulse of one sole skier. Potential avalanches can be medium to large sized. Most danger zones occur in N/E/S aspects, and here, mostly in steep terrain distant from ridges down to steep forest lanes. Crass variations are visible in outlying terrain: Exposed zones are hard and windblown, with only little snowdrift. Leeward slopes, gullies, bowls are filled to the brim.

Wind and fresh snow in two packages are generating easily triggered snowdrifts in backcountry terrain. Snowfall on Tuesday was cold, loose, the snow/drifts on Wednesday will be more compact, more brittle. The old snowpack has settled well, is usually topped by a melt-freeze crust. Inside the snowpack are soft layers of faceted crystals, usually beneath hard layers of melt-freeze crusts. These weak layer are currently not relevant to triggering.

On Wednesday morning, poor visibility, snow showers. Fresh snow: an additional 10-20 cm. Starting at midday, visibility will improve measurably, sunshine can be expected in the afternoon. Strong to stormy W/NW winds (40-60 km/hr) , slackening off noticeably in the afternoon. At 2000 m: -5 degrees; at 3000 m: -11 degrees. On Thursday, very sunny. Good visibility. Light winds. At 2000 m: +1 degree, at 3000 m: -4 degrees.

Considerable snowdrift problem above the treeline. Lots of sunshine. Restraint and caution are important.