Lower Tauern South

Increasing wet-snow activity during daytime plus near-surface persistent weak layer at high altitudes

Increasing wet-snow activity during daytime plus near-surface persistent weak layer at high altitudes

Avalanche danger in morning above 2400 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. As of late morning, danger at all altitdues rises to MODERATE. Due to solar radiation, increasing wet-snow activity is expected during the daytime. Beginning on extremely steep slopes (>40°) in southern and eastern aspects, it will then spread to all aspects, releases small-to-medium. also triggerable by 1 person. Above 2200 m, near-surface weak layers can trigger a slab by 1 person, esp. on very steep slopes (>35°) on W/N/NE facing slopes, releases medium-sized. Below 2600 m where the snow is sufficient, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches can be expected on steep slopes, particularly where the recent fresh snow fell on bare ground. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

Solar radiation makes the snowpack wet, it loses its firmness. In transitions from old snowpack to fresh snow are faceted layers above 2200 m near crusts which are potential weak layers for slab avalanches. On steep rocky slopes which have again been snow on and grassy slopes, the snowpack is wet down to the ground and can glide away. Up to 2800 m on south facing slopes a melt-freeze crust will form on Saturday night which is capable of bearing loads, then turning to firn in daytime. On north-facing slopes, breakable crusts can be expected up but there is still some settled powder on sufficiently steep slopes.

Saturday night skies will have scattered clouds in the north, heavier clouds will move over the southern regions, thus reducing the nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation somewhat. Winds from the south will be brisk. On Sunday, pleasant conditions, occasionally heavier clouds but visibility will remain good. Frequent sunshine, somewhat hampered by clouds and Sahara dust. Foehn wind along the Tauern will be brisk (gusts up to 70 km/hr) but slacken off in evening. At 2000 m: 1-7 degrees; at 3000 m: -2 to +2 degrees. Skies on Sunday night will be clear but for a few high-altitude clouds.

Classic springtime will continue, snowdrift accumulations will rapidly stabilize.