Lower Tauern North

Isolated small danger snowdrift patches

Isolated small danger snowdrift patches

Avalanche danger is LOW. As a result of SW winds, isolated fresh snowdrift accumulations are being formed. They are small but on very steep (>35°) N/E facing slopes above 2000 m can be easily triggered. Danger zones occur in gullies, bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. They are not always visible to the naked eye in the diffuse light conditions. Caution urged wherever taking a fall is possible.

Amid strong (in Tauern storm-strength) SW winds there was a few cm of fresh snow registered on Tuesday night which generated fresh snowdrift accumulations. These were deposited atop a loose old snowpack surface of faceted crystals, surface hoar on N/E facing slopes and are prone to triggering in isolated cases. Light rainfall in the afternoon will lead to a moistening of the snowpaxck at low and intermediate altitudes (>2000 m) particularly in the Northern Alps.

On Wednesday, foehn conditions will arrive, with high-altitude clouds. Visibitility will be good, if somewhat diffuse. Near the Main Alpine Ridge dense clouds and light snowfall could hamper visibility somewhat, also in the Northern Alps in the afternoon. Some rainfall and snowfall is possible (snowfall level at 1800-2000m), but elsewhere it will remain dry. In the Northern Alps above all, moderate to strong velocity SW winds. Temperatures will rise. At midday at 2000 m: -1 degree; a 3000 m: -6 degrees.

Thursday: stormy westerly winds. Cautions urged towards fresh, small snowdrift accumulations.