Lower Tauern South

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2100m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Trigger points for slab avalanches exist in high alpine regions on very steep, also distant from ridgelines where the fresh snowdrifts in NW/N/SE facing steep terrain and gullies can release, sometimes by minimum additional loading. In case of solar radiation, naturally triggered small superficial loose-snow avalanches are possible in extremely steep terrain. Below 2400m, isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches cannot be ruled out.

After a mild Thursday with rainfall up to 2800 m, temperatures have incrementally dropped, the snowfall level also descended amid intermittent rainfall and snowfall. Strong springtime sun settled the fresh snow and generated crusts. W/NW winds (in the Tauern also southerly foehn wind) transported the snow. Atop this base at high altitudes there is 10-15 cm of fresh cold snowfall which was compressed by northerly winds or transported on Monday. Bonding of fresh snow deteriorates with ascending altitude. Potential fracture points for slab avalanches exist in the melt-freeze crusts of the old snowpack and in the loose snow which blankets them.

On Tuesday, adequate visibility, mostly sunshine. The northerly winds will be brisk to strong, on peaks and ridges of the Tauern and Nockberge reaching 50 km/hr. At 2000 m: -11 degrees; at 3000 m: -13 degrees.

On Wednesday no significant change expected. Cold. Sunshine. Winds will not disturb.