Lower Tauern South

Trigger-sensitive foehn-induced snowdrifts

Trigger-sensitive foehn-induced snowdrifts

Avalanche danger above 1400 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Main problem: foehn-induced snowdrifts, triggerable as slab avalanches even by minimum additional loading. Danger zones, depending on wind impact: near to and distant from ridgelines, behind abrupt drops in the terrain, in gullies, steep bowls, increasingly on north-facing slopes, but gullies and bowls can be laterally wind-loaded. Frequency of danger zones increases with ascending altitude. Due to solar radiation and higher daytime temperatures, furthermore, danger of naturally triggered avalanches rises already in the morning hours. Depending on how much snow there is, small-to-medium wet loose-snow avalanches and (above 2500 m) also medium glide-snow avalanches are possible on very steep grassy slopes. At high altitudes, loose-snow releases can trigger medium-sized slab avalanches.

The snowfall from Wednesday/Thursday (5-15 cm) has settled due to higher temperatures and solar radiation. Esp. at high altitudes on the Main Alpine Ridge there are snowdrift accumulations generated by strong-to-stormy foehn winds. Rising temperatures and solar radiation will moisten the fresh snow, quickly lose firmness. The old snowpack itself has weak layers at high and high-alpine altitudes, artificial triggerings unleashed mostly near-surface avalanches. At intermediate altitudes the old snow is thoroughly wet. Below 1400 m there is hardly any snow on the ground.

Lots of clouds, some sunshine, clouds (most in Tauern) will disperse over the day. At high altitudes in the Tauern, southerly foehn wind at 40-60 km/h. At 2000 m: 0 to 4 degrees, at 3000 m: -5 degrees.

On Saturday, sunny, still warmer, less wind. Moistening of the snowpack on shady slopes will come to the foreground. Naturally triggered avalanches (loose, some slabs) in high alpine starting zones on sunny slopes.