Lower Tauern Central

Deep sink-in depths, snowdrift problem intensifying as of midday

Deep sink-in depths, snowdrift problem intensifying as of midday

Danger above the timberline is CONSIDERABLE (3), below that altitude MODERATE. On extremely steep slopes, small-to-medium naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible. At high altitudes, also (soft) slab avalanches can be triggered in steep terrain by one sole person and reach medium size. Danger zones are not easy to recognize, but occur in all aspects. For that reason, experience in assessing potential avalanche dangers is imperative in outlying terrain. As winds intensify, fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrifts will accumulate in the afternoon on E/S facing slopes.

UPDATE: The fresh snow is highly prone to triggering, level 4 in some places. Also: evidence of good fracture propagation and naturally triggered avalanche activity. Weak layers occur above all inside the fresh fallen snow. The most recent snowfall has settled due to higher temperatures. It is at least moist up to 2200m, also due to sprinkling rainfall. Atop this as temperatures drop, heavy snowfall will now be deposited and bond well to the base. On the Main Tauern Ridge fresh snowdrifts have accumulated due to storm-strength southerly foehn winds, these will now be blanketed over by fresher snow. Intensifying W/NW winds will generate new snowdrifts over the course of the day which will be deposited on a loosely-packed and cold base: prone to triggering!

Friday night will bring intensive snowfall down to low lying areas. By Saturday morning, 20-50 cm is expected, amid ever colder temperatures and only little wind impact. On Saturday the snowfall will continue, visibility will often be severely reduced. By evening, another 10-20 cm will be added. Starting at midday, W/NW winds will begin to transport the snow. Temperatures will drop: at 2000 m from -6 to -12 degrees; at 3000m from -8 to -18 degrees. On Sunday, good visibility and sunshine, with possibility of some fog in the morning. The NW winds will slacken off significantly during the daytime. Slightly higher temperatures. At 2000 m from -15 to -10 degrees; at 3000m -17 degrees.

A treacherous situation on Sunday. Backcountry tours make experience in assessing avalanche danger imperative. We advise great restraint. The first day of beautiful weather is frequently full of accidents.