Lower Tauern South

Shallow snowdrifts blanket persistent weak layer

Shallow snowdrifts blanket persistent weak layer

Avalanche danger levels at high altitudes is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. The freshly generated, shallow snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as a small-sized slab avalanche even by minimum additional loading (one skier). Such releases can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack above 2200m and then grow to medium size, particularly on W/N/S facing slopes. The shallow-snow transitions into snow-filled gullies and bowls are especially treacherous. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude.

The small amounts of fresh snow and freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are being deposited on shady slopes atop a loosely-packed, expansively metamorphosed snow base which can serve as a fracture surface. On sunny slopes the bonding to the often encrusted old snowpack surface is somewhat more favorable. Above about 2200m there are weak layers inside the old snowpack consisting of faceted crystals, frequently of surface hoar, which are often prone to triggering. The entire snowpack can glide away over steep rocky plates and grass-covered slopes. All in all, there is too little snow on the ground, exposed zones are windblown, gullies and bowls filled to the brim with snow.

Skies on Friday night will clear, winds will ease off. Saturday will start with sunshine, but high-altitude clouds will move in during the morning hours, light conditions will become diffuse, winds will be light to moderate, the shift at high altitudes to westerly-to-southwesterly. At 2000m: rising from -11 to -5 degrees; at 3000m: from -16 to -10 degrees.

No significant change in avalanche danger levels is anticipated. Caution urged towards fresh snowdrifts.