Lower Tauern South

Snowpack highly prone to triggering

Snowpack highly prone to triggering

Avalanche danger above the timberline is HIGH (Danger Level 4). Below that altitude danger is CONSIDERABLE. As the snowfall eases, naturally triggered avalanche activity will slacken off somewhat. The snowpack remains very prone to triggering. One person can trigger an avalanche easily in all aspects above the treeline on steep slopes, including large releases. Danger zones are numerous and cannot be recognized. Remote triggerings and isolated naturally triggered avalanches continue to be possible, particularly in the starting zones where strong westerly winds have deposited many snowdrift accumulations. As the next round of precipitation arrives in the evening hours, naturally triggered releases will increase again. In some cases the avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers in the snowpack and grow to large size. Also below the treeline, avalanches can often be easily triggered and reach medium size. A great deal of experience in assessing risks on-site is necessary for winter sports enthusiasts. Where there has been much snowfall, glide-snow avalanches will increase somewhat. Precipitation on Friday evening will be rainfall below 1100 m. Thus, on very steep slopes and hillsides, loose-snow avalanches could release.

Lots of fresh snow, also with graupel. The NW winds were usually strong. Friday morning the snowfall will ease. The fresh snow and drifts are prone to triggering. In the lower part of the snowpack are weak layers which are prone to triggering that can be triggered by the weight of the fresh snow and drifts on top of them. On leeward steep slopes, stormy westerly winds will still generate new snowdrift accumulations. Intensive snowfall will set in during the evening.

On Friday, the peaks will be shrouded in heavy cloud, stormy NW winds will be blowing. In the morning, intermittent light snowfall, in the afternoon extended dry periods. At 2000 m: -5 degrees; at 3000 m: -10 to -6 degrees.

On Saturday, still stormy winds. In the morning, heavy snowfall regionally. In the afternoon the snowfall will slacken off. Avalanche danger will remain HIGH (Danger Level 4).