Avalanche forecast

Lower Tauern South

LWD Salzburg
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Avalanche danger

Above treeline
3 · Considerable
Below treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Current avalanche situation demands high restraint in outlying terrain from winter sports enthusiasts

Avalanche problems

  • Wind slab

    • Above treeline
    Size
    2

    Stability: poor · Frequency: some

  • Gliding snow

    • Below 2,400 m
    Size
    1

    Stability: very poor · Frequency: some

Avalanche Activity

Snowdrifts are the main problem. Slab avalanches in the snowdrifts can fracture in ground-level layers

Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Medium sized slab avalanches from snowdrifts can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the greeline, particularly in gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape in all aspects. Danger zones occur also distant from ridgeline; near the treeline above 2200m avalanches can be triggered in more deeply embedded layers of the old snowpack and then grow to large size. Above 2200m avalanches can be triggered from more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and often grow to large size. Settling noises and glide-craceks are indicators of danger. As a result of solar radiation, naturally triggered, generally small-sized avalanches can be expected on extremely steep sunny slopes.

Snowpack Structure

The fresh snow has been transported far-reachingly. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are weak near-surface layers. Above 2000m the snowdrifts often lie atop faceted crystals near crusts. On wind-protected shady slopes above the treeline there is often surface hoar. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is unfavorable, with several weak layers of faceted crystals. The entire snowpack can glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.

Weather Forecast

Final snow showers will gradually slacken off after midnight. Also the stormy winds will ease off, yet remain feelable (80 km/hr at midnight easing to 50 km/hr in early morning). On Wednesday, good visibility and widespread sunshine, some high fog might hamper visibility for lower-level ascents. Winds will be noticeable only at high altitudes of the Tauern and Nockberge (40-50 km/hr). At 2000m: -5 degrees; at 3000m: -8 degrees.

Tendency

The proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will gradually diminish.

Bulletin data: Avalanche Warning Service Salzburg (CC BY 4.0)

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