Lower Tauern Central

Instable slabs and naturally triggered releases

Instable slabs and naturally triggered releases

The new snow is extremely instable. We advise against all undertakings in backcountry, off the secured ski pistes. Avalanche danger is quickly rising. As of late morning it will reach level HIGH (4) above the treeline. Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger a slab avalanche in all aspects. Poor visibility makes assessment on-site difficult. Slabs can be medium-to-large size. In addition, in non-visible steep terrain, avalanches can trigger naturally. They can reach large size in the afternoon and evening and through the snow clouds attain enormous run-out length.

The abundant fresh snow is compacter than the powder from yesterday. Thus, proneness to triggering is high. Beneath the fresh snow (40-60 cm) there are melt-freeze crusts with faceted weak layers which can now be triggered. Wind-exposed terrain at high altitude is utterly windblown, most of the fresh snow is found at forest rims and on the south-facing slopes.

Saturday: abundant fresh snow in the mountains has brought inhospitable conditions, zero visibility, heavy snowfall all day long. Fresh snow in 24 hours: 50-70 cm, in barrier cloud regions more. Above the treeline, a strong-to-stormy northerly wind is blowing at 50-80 km/hr. Temperature at 2000 m: -7 degrees; at 3000 m: -12 degrees. On Sunday, poor visibility will continue, snowfall slacken off, then come to an end. Winds will ease. Temperatures will remain unchanged.

On Sunday, still treacherous. On Monday, slowly receding danger levels.