Lower Tauern South

Poor visibility, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations

On Saturday the avalanche situation will reach its climax. On the northern flank of the Alps, CONSIDERABLE danger will prevail widespread, also naturally triggered avalancahes which can develop a hefty snow cloud are possible.

Poor visibility, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger above the treeline is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanche prone locations due to freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are located in steep wind-loaded terrain (gullies, steep bowls, forest clearances, etc.) and in general behind steep protruberances in NE/E/S aspects to an increasing degree. The drifts are prone to triggering. In many spots even minimum additional loading is sufficient to trigger a small (in some places a medium-sized) slab avalanche. Steep wind-loaded zones should be AVOIDED. Poor visibility makes assessment even more difficult.

There has been 15-25 cm of fresh snow widespread, up to 30 cm at high altitudes in the Hohe Tauern, Steinbergen and Hochkönig to Gosaukamm. The snow is riddled with graupel, and being transported by stormy NW winds to gullies, bowls and E/S facing slopes. Latest reports point to higher proneness to triggering. The base bears striking marks of wind (wind crusts, pressed powder), and in shady terrain also has faceted old crystals and, in some places, surface hoar. In the old snow, faceted crystals weaken the structuring, particularly on W/N/E facing slopes. A potential fracture point for slabs, apart from the faceted crystals: the blanketed loose new snow.

On Friday, poor visibility due to heavy cloud cover from which intermittent snowfall is possible in the Northern Alps, though only minor amounts are anticipated. In the Tauern there will hardly be any new snow. Winds will be strong to stormy from the northwest, strongest on the Main Tauern Ridge (70-100 km/hr). At 2000 m: -14 degrees; at 3000 m: -20 degrees. On Saturday, strong and persistent snowfall as the result of a warm front coming from the north. Stormy NW winds will bring 20-40 cm of fresh snow, from Steinernes Meer to Gosaukamm and in the Hohe Tauern also 40-60 cm of fresh snow. Temperatures will rise: ata 2000 m: -8 degrees; at 3000 m: -13 degrees.