Lower Tauern Central

Combined drift and persistent weak layer problem

Combined drift and persistent weak layer problem

The avalanche risk is moderate from around 2000 metres. In some places, avalanches can be triggered even with a small additional load in the persistent weak layer and reach medium size. This is particularly the case on west, north and east-facing slopes and, at even higher altitudes from around 2600 m, increasingly also in the southern sector. Caution at the transition from little to much snow.

Even partially covered and difficult to recognise snowdrift accumulations can be disturbed by individuals in a few places. Superficial avalanches remain small, but can break through into the persistent weak layer and then become medium sized. All aspects and both adjacent to ridgelines and steep terrain far from ridgelines are affected. Caution is also required on and below cornices.

As the weather warms up during the day, more spontaneous wet loose snow avalanches may occur. This mainly in the extended southern sector, but also increasingly on the north side below 2000 metres. On isolated typical slopes, sliding snow activity may begin.

Under traces of fresh new fallen snow lies an average of half a metre of settled new and drift snow from the last week in higher, windless places, while exposed places are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. The snow came to rest on a thin melt-freeze crust from the weekend, in the vicinity of which faceted crystals are forming. At high altitudes on the shady slopes, angular forms and deep rime (also in combination with crusts) can be found even deeper in the old snowpack. Fractures are most likely to occur within the no longer completely fresh snowdrift accumulations, increasingly also on the uppermost crust, and only occasionally in the deep rime. At lower altitudes, the snowpack is soaked by rain.

The night will start clear, but as the day progresses, low and medium-high cloud fields will spread from the north-west. On Saturday, visibility will be limited by mostly dense clouds. There will be some snow at times and rain below around 2000 metres. South of the Tauern, it will remain mainly dry, with occasional clearing. In total, up to 10 cm of new fallen snow may fall at high altitudes. The wind will blow briskly (peaks up to 50 km/h) from westerly directions, but will ease noticeably during the daytime changes. At 2000 metres the temperature will be -1 to 3 degrees, at 3000 metres -7 to -4 degrees.

In the night to Sunday it will clear up widely, the frost line will rise to around 2400 to 2600 metres. Decreasing danger from wind slab but increasing danger from wet snow.