Lower Tauern South

Instable snowdrift masses in open terrain

Instable snowdrift masses in open terrain

Restraint is imperative. Strong winds and the concealed old-snow problem (which intensifies with ascending altitude) provide ample danger zones which in some cases can trigger an avalanche from the weight of one single person. Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above the timberline. Caution and restraint are urged in ALL aspects, but particularly in NE/S/SW where triggered slabs can grow to large size. Due to windblown terrain and the general roughness of the ground in backcountry touring zones, the avalanche prone locations can easily be underestimated.

The most recent fresh snow is still cold and loosely-packed widespread. Intensifying, strong-velocity W/NW winds are generating new, in some places wide-ranging snowdrift accumulations which are being deposited atop the loosely-packed and cold snow and are easily triggered. At altitudes above 2200 m, at least in northern aspects, there is a thin fracturable layer from mid-November beneath the melt-freeze crust. It is relevant.

During the daytime, heavy cloud will bring a bit of snowfall (max.5 cm). Above the treeline, strong westerly winds will be blowing (40-50 km/hr), at high altitudes, also at storm strength. During the course of the afternoon the cloud cover will disperse. At 2000 m: -9 degrees; at 3000 m: -16 degrees.On Wednesday stormy southerly foehn wind, high-altitude clouds will impede the sun, the peaks will often be free. The Tauern Main Ridge will be in clouds from the south. In high altitude and foehn-impacted lanes: 70-100 km/hr winds, elsewhere are 50 km/hr. Temperatures will rise: at 2000 m, -5 degrees, at 3000 m, -6 degrees.

Treacherous. Foehn wind will waft the snowdrifts in a new direction. Compact foehn-generated drifts are easily triggered, also naturally triggered slabs are possible.