Lower Tauern Central

Loose-snow slides during the daytime in extremely steep terrain

Loose-snow slides during the daytime in extremely steep terrain

Avalanche danger is low. Due to higher temperatures and solar radiation, small loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep terrain (>40°). Also small glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night in all aspects. In exposed high altitude terrain near ridgelines, isolated small slabs can be triggered even by minimum additional loading, the spots are easily recognized. Danger of being forced to take a fall outweighs the risks of being buried in snow masses

Due to rising temperatures, the snowpack has receded and is moistened at surface level up to intermediate altitudes, or else utterly wet. Overnight a melt-freeze crust can form which will then soften up during the daytime. The snowpack evidences currently no marked weak layers. On grass-covered slopes or rocky plates the entire snowpack could begin to glide away. At high altitudes the near-surface loose-snow layers are often blanketed.

On Wednesday, intermediate-altitude cloudbanks and sunshine will shift back and forth, the peaks will mostly remain free of clouds. In the afternoon, more sunshine is expected. Winds will be moderate to brisk from westerly directions. At 2000m +5 degrees.

On Thursday, little change is expected. On Friday, snowdrift problem will intensify due to fresh snowfall and winds.