Wölz Tauern South

Caution: brittle snowdrifts!

Caution: brittle snowdrifts!

Due to temperatures like in deep winter, avalanche danger levels are being preserved. Danger above the timberline in the regions Dachstein, Totes Gebirge, Niedere Tauern as far as Koralpe is considerable. Avalanche prone locations are found in east and north aspects. Good areas (unbonded cold powder) and treacherous areas (wind-loaded slopes) lie immediately adjacent to each other. Wherever snowdrifts were deposited, the likelihood of slabs triggering is high. Older snowdrift accumulations and freshly generated drifts can be triggered even by minimum additional loading. The released slab can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers. Danger zones are difficult to recognize. Experience is imperative in backcountry terrain. Naturally triggered avalanches: as a result of additional wind-loaded slopes, naturally triggered slab avalanches are possible.

Due to deep-wintery temperatures the snowpack has not been able to settle. On the weekend, 20-30 cm of fresh snow was registered in the region, deposited on top of a layer of surface hoar. On leeward sloeps there is much more bonded snow. However, there are also areas where the snow is loosely-packed. The old snowpack is weakened deeper down by soft and hard layers.

A weak perturbance will bring poor visibility to the Northern Alps and some snowfall starting at midday. On the southern flank of the Alps, compact cloudbanks will pass through but summits will remain free in the morning hours. As of midday, the highest peaks will disappear in fog. At high altitudes a storm-strength, icy-cold NW wind will be blowing. At 2000 m: -9 degrees at midday. Wednesday In the morning, extended sunny spells. In the afternoon, cloud cover will move in from the southwest and cover the land. Brisk to strong-velocity SW winds will raise temperatures slightly at all altitudes.

Wind directions will shift to southwesterly. Caution: fresh snowdrifts will accumulate on north-facing slopes.