Lower Tauern South

Avoid zones below glide cracks

Avoid zones below glide cracks

Avalanche danger is considerable. Up to 2600 m glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day, esp. on steep slopes with smooth ground (grass, rocks) in all aspects. Avalanches can grow to medium size. Avoid zones below glide cracks. Snowdrift accumulations can be triggered only in few places above 2600 m, esp. by large additional loading (a group, breaking cornice, glide-snow avalanche) and grow to large size. Due to higher temperatures, loose-snow avalanches are possible, esp. on south-facing slopes, and can grow to medium size.

Stormy winds have done their work on the snowpack, variable surfaces should be expected during descents. In many places the surfaces can bear loads. In general, the fresh snow from the weekend has settled well. Wide-ranging snowdrift accumulations have been generated at high altitudes, on shady slopes deposited atop a loose layer of faceted crystals. Even where the snowpack surface was encrusted, a faceted layer could have formed before the snow fell. In high alpine zones above 2500 m the old snowpack base has faceted crystals near the crusts. The ground is warm, thus, the entire snowpack is gliding downhill over smooth surfaces.

On Tuesday, lots of clouds, the sunshine will be milky, compact clouds in the Tauern but the peaks should remain in the clear. Visibility mostly good. Westerly winds will slacken off (50 km/hr). At 2000 m: 3-6 degrees; at 3000 m: -2 degrees. On Tuesday night, clear skies or only scattered clouds.

The danger of glide-snow avalanches will persist. Snowdrift problem will recede.