Wölz Tauern South

Beware of persistent weak layers!

Beware of persistent weak layers!

The avalanche risk is assessed as moderate above around 1800 metres and low below that. There is still a persistent weak layer problem in the northern and eastern exposures. In addition, in a few places, older snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small slab avalanches by low additional loads. Medium-sized slab avalanches are also possible when breaking through the weak old snowpack. The danger areas are mainly located in the transition from little to more snow as well as behind terrain edges and in the entrance area of gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are often difficult to recognise.

Older wind slab snow is still prone to triggering in higher, steeper areas due to weak layers such as snow-covered surface hoar. There is significantly more snow in shady gullies and bowls than on sunny slopes. In the northern and eastern exposures, the old snowpack continues to be weakened by crusts and layers with faceted crystals and floating snow; the persistent weak layer problem remains. There is still significantly less snow than average.

In the night to Monday, high fog will establish itself again, reaching up to 2000 metres. During the day, it will be slightly foehn and sunny in places in the northern regions with moderate south-easterly winds. Further south, the high fog and low cloud will persist, only clearing in places. Temperatures at 2000 metres will be between -4 and -1 degrees, at 1500 metres between -3 and 0 degrees.

Thick patches of high fog will persist below 2000 metres, particularly on the southern side of the Alps. On the northern side of the Alps, these may clear in foehn-like southerly winds. No significant change in the avalanche danger.