Lower Tauern South

Fresh snowdrift accumulations, shallow-snow zones, transitions: caution urged

Fresh snowdrift accumulations, shallow-snow zones, transitions: caution urged

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is MODERATE (2), below that altitude danger is LOW (1). Caution urged: the fresh snowdrifts are thin but easily triggered, creating a major risk of taking a fall. In unfavorable circumstances a release can trigger down to drifts distant from ridges and the avalanche grow to medium size. Caution also urged in shallow-snow zones on shady slopes and in high alpine steep terrain, where large additional loadng can trigger a medium-sized slab avalanche.

Hardened surfaces dominate. There is only a small amount of fresh snow, transported by strong N/NW winds, generating thin, instable snowdrift patches which now cover the somewhat firmer snowdrifts from the early part of the week. The old snowpack has settled well, is topped by a firm melt-freeze crust. Inside the old snowpack are soft layers of faceted crystals, which in unfavorable circumstances could provide a fracture point for slab avalanches.

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. On Tuesday, unimpeded sunshine, outstanding visibility. No wind disturbance, temperatures milder. At 2000 m: -5 degrees.

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