Lower Tauern South

Trigger-sensitive snowdrift masses at high altitude

Trigger-sensitive snowdrift masses at high altitude

Avalanche danger above 2200 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can often be triggered by one sole winter sports enthusiast and attain medium size. Danger zones occur on extended east-facing slopes, particularly in gullies and bowls, near to and distant from ridgelines. Trigger-sensitivity and size of danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Where there is more snow on the ground (particularly in the Northern Alps) and in zones bordering regions where the Danger Level is 3 (CONSIDERABLE) the avalanche prone locations are more widespread and more frequent. The danger is then correspondingly higher. On steep, mostly sunny grass-covered slopes, isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible. In addition, small loose-snow avalanches can be expected on extremely steep sunny slopes due to daytime warming and solar radiation.

Since Sunday evening there has been 20-30 cm of snowfall registered above the timberline, in the Northern Alps as much as 40 cm. Winds were often strong, sometimes stormy, from N/W directions, transporting the loose fresh snow over widespread areas. The drifts were deposited often atop a weak old snowpack surface at high altitudes, particularly above 2200 m and in wind-protected, relatively shady gullies and bowls. Below 2200 m and on sunny slopes and wind-exposed terrain, the old snowpack surface was often melt-freeze encrusted and hardened. Bonding of fresh snow and snowdrifts is more favourable here. Below 1800 m, higher up on sunny slopes, the snow fell on bare ground. Attentiveness is required towards the entire snowpack gliding over steep grass-covered slopes in the regions where snowfall has been heavy.

On Wednesday, heavy intermediate-altitude cloud cover. Light rainfall/snow showers in the Northern Alps during the morning. The snowfall level will ascend from 600 m in early morning to 1500 m at midday. Dry weather is expected as of midday. At 2000 m in the afternoon: 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -6 degrees.

On Wednesday night the next front will move in from the northwest. The cold front will bring receding temperatures and about 5-15 cm of fresh snow. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Caution: weak layers in the old snow.