Lower Tauern Central

Glide-snow avalanches on extremely steep grass-covered slopes and naturally triggered wet-snow activity during daytime

Solar radiation makes the snowpack wet, it loses its firmness. On steep rocky slopes which have again been snow on and grassy slopes, the snowpack is wet down to the ground and can glide away. The recent fresh fallen snow is quickly diminishing due to melting. During the night a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads often forms, but later softens rapidly. On north-facing slopes there are often breakable crusts, above 2200 m there is still some settled powder on steep slopes.

Glide-snow avalanches on extremely steep grass-covered slopes and naturally triggered wet-snow activity during daytime

Avalanche danger rises to MODERATE during the course of the day. Where snow is sufficient, small glide-snow avalanches can release naturally cases in extremely steep terrain (>40°), especially where the ground was previously bare of snow. Avoid zones below glide cracks. Due to solar radiation and warmth, the snowpack becomes increasingly moist, and naturally triggered avalanche activity increases during the course of the day, releases mostly small.

Saturday night skies will have scattered clouds in the north, heavier clouds will move over the southern regions, thus reducing the nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation somewhat. Winds from the south will be brisk. On Sunday, pleasant conditions, occasionally heavier clouds but visibility will remain good. Frequent sunshine, somewhat hampered by clouds and Sahara dust. Foehn wind along the Tauern will be brisk (gusts up to 70 km/hr) but slacken off in evening. At 2000 m: 1-7 degrees; at 3000 m: -2 to +2 degrees. Skies on Sunday night will be clear but for a few high-altitude clouds.

The classic springtime will continue, danger potential is receding due to the natural melting process.