Lower Tauern Central

Unfavorable structuring above 1800 m

Unfavorable structuring above 1800 m

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger mostly LOW. Restraint is still called for in outlying terrain. Skiers/boarders can trigger a slab in all aspects on very steep slopes above 1800 m. Eastern aspects are more sensitive than the others. The impulse of one single person is sufficient, most susceptible are the rims of snowdrift accumulations, i.e. in transitions from shallow to deeper snow. Slabs can be medium-to-large sized. Caution also on very steep shady slopes, even below the treeline. Naturally triggered avalanches are rare. Isolated loose-snow avalanches in steep rocky terrain and isolated glide-snow av avalanches where there was bare ground before this snowfall are possible.

The abundant fresh snow has settled, at least up to 1800 m on sunny slopes. Sink-in depths and proneness to triggering have decreased. Further up, things are different. As of 1800 m there are audible settling noises. Snowpack analysis reveals weak layers which tend toward fracture propagation (blanketed powder and faceted layers beneath the lattest melt-freeze crusts on shady slopes).

On Tuesday, cloudless skies. Outstanding visibility. The NW winds will intensify (30-40 km/hr). Mildest day of the week. Temperature at 2000 m: -1 degree, at 3000 m: -5 degrees. On Wednesday, again cloudless skies, outstanding visibility, lots of sunshine. Moderate to brisk W/NW winds. Temperatures will recede. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. at 3000 m -8 degrees.

Little change at high altitudes, elsewhere danger levels slightly diminishing.