Lower Tauern Central

Danger zones where snow is shallow in transitions and gullies

Danger zones where snow is shallow in transitions and gullies

AAvalanche danger above 2000 m is MODERATE (2), elsewhere danger is LOW. Caution is urged in shady and high-alpine steep zones where the snow is shallow and in steep transitions and gullies, where large additional loading can trigger a slab and avalanches can grow to medium-to-large size. Most danger zones occur on W/N/E facing slopes in terrain distant from ridges and in steep gullies. In sun-drenched rocky steep terrain, naturally triggered small-to-medium loose-snow avalanches are possible.

There was 15-25 cm of fresh snow registered widespread, loose powder atop a compact old snowpack. Near ridges the surface is wind-impacted and these effect increase with ascending altitude. At high and high-alpine altitudes there are thin snowdrifts generated by N/NW winds atop a loose base which are prone to triggering. Particularly on the Main Tauern Ridge there are snowdrifts - now blanketed - generated by Thursday’s foehn wind. Inside the old snowpack are soft layers of faceted crystals. This layer is currently triggerable in isolated cases, as an avalanche in Hohe Tauern on Sunday demonstrated.

On Monday, intermittently sunny weather, clouds will pass through, becoming heavier only in afternoon. The icy northerly wind will be irritating (50-70 km/hr). At 2000 m: -10 degrees, at 3000 m: from -11 cooling to -15 degrees. On Tuesday, unimpeded sunshine, outstanding visibility. No wind disturbance, temperatures milder. At 2000 m: -5 degrees, at 3000 m: -10 degrees.

No significant change expected. Steep sunny slopes will moisten on Tuesday.