Lower Tauern South

Old snowdrifts on very steep slopes should be avoided.

Old snowdrifts on very steep slopes should be avoided.

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. The snowdrift accumulations from Tuesday/Wednesday are well consolidated. In few places can large additional loading trigger a slab avalanche, most likely in shallow-snow transitions to deeper snow on shady steep north-facing slopes. Wild opposites occur in backcountry: exposed zones are hard, windblown, very few drifts. Leeward slopes, gullies, are filled to the brim.

Due to warmth and sun the fresh snow and drifts have settled and consolidated. Sink-in depths are receded noticeably, the proneness to triggering has decreased. Above 2000 m the fresh drifts generated by Thursday’s foehn wind and deposited atop a soft base are still prone to triggering. The old snowpack beneath has settled, is topped by a firm melt-freeze crust. Inside the snowpack are hidden soft layers of faceted crystals, but these layer are currently not a threat.

On Friday, variable conditions, low clouds will pass through. Adequate daytime visibility, loose convective clouds, noticeably colder, moderate NW winds (30-40 km/hr). At 2000 m: -4 degrees, at 3000 m: -16 degrees. On Saturday morning, reduced visibility due to heavy cloud and snowfall (minor). As of midday, the clouds will often disperse. Strong northerly wind (gusts at 60 km/hr). At 2000 m: -11 degrees, at 3000 m: -17 degrees.

Little change. Overall favorable.