Lower Tauern South

Persistent weak layer remains the main danger

Persistent weak layer remains the main danger

The avalanche risk is considerable from around 2000 m, below that it is low. In a few places, medium to large slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals, especially in the aspects from north-west to east. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow. Danger areas are difficult to recognise away from obvious pillows of wind drifted snow and a defensive route choice is therefore still advised, especially when danger signs such as booming noises, cracks and fresh avalanches occur. Gliding avalanches from steep grassy terrain as well as wet loose snow avalanches and snow slabs from sunny slopes that have not yet been unloaded are also possible in isolated cases.

The snowpack can cool down well overnight and crust can form. In the morning hours, the melt-freeze crust is stable, but softens again on sunny slopes during the day. In general, the snowpack on the sunny slopes is damp or wet up to high altitudes. On shady slopes, soft, faceted snow can be found on the snow surface from around 2000 metres. Where there is a bound snow slab, the connection to the faceted old snow below is still poor, weak layers can be found at the transition to the old snow as well as deeper in the old snowpack. Deep and sunny middle layers are often already tapped out.

The night will be clear and mostly cloudless. Thursday will be characterised by sunny, high-pressure weather. Visibility will be excellent, with weak to moderate easterly winds in the northern Alps from midday. At 2000 metres between 1 and 3 degrees, at 3000 metres around -4 degrees.

Beware of persistent weak layers. The number of avalanche prone locations is only slowly decreasing. The situation in the terrain is still difficult to assess.