Lower Tauern South

At high altitudes, caution towards persistent weak layers. During the course of the day, naturally triggered wet-snow problem.

At high altitudes, caution towards persistent weak layers. During the course of the day, naturally triggered wet-snow problem.

Avalanche danger above 2200m is moderate. Slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading in some places, caution urged in transitions from shallow to deeper snow. On very steep north-facing slopes above 2200m and on W/E-facing slopes above 2400m, avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small moist loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally during the course of the day. Due to strong-velocity northerly winds, small danger zones will be generated through fresh snowdrift patches which can be prone to triggering on very steep north-facing slopes (most are easy to recognize). From very steep grass-covered slopes below 2600m, isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.

The snowpack has moistened over the last few days, sometimes only superficially, sometimes down to the ground. As temperatures drop, the moist surface will again become capable of bearing loads. Above 2200m on shady slopes there are several weak layers of faceted crystals inside the old snowpack. On the surface on shady slopes, hoar or faceted crystals are generated potentially weak layers beneath the fresh snowdrifts. On very steep sunny slopes the small amount of snow is rapidly losing its bonding, even the melt-freeze crust is softening. Despite lower temperatures, the entire snowpack can still glide away over very steep grass-covered slopes.

On Sunday, limited visibility due to fog, generally sunny at high and high-alpine altitudes right from the morning. By midday, visibility will improve everywhere, in the afternoon hours general sunshine is expected. Northerly winds will be strong at high altitudes, reaching windspeeds of 70 km/hr on the Main Ridge and in the Lungau. Colder at all altitudes. At 2000m: -10 degrees; at 3000m: -15 degrees.

Little change expected