Lower Tauern South

Fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrifts

Fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrifts

Avalanche danger below 2000m is LOW, above the altitude danger is MODERATE. Danger zones are found on NW/N/E facing slopes behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, in gullies and bowls. They are trigger sensitive on very steep slopes, releases can reach medium size. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude, they are difficult to spot due to poor visibility. In very steep terrain, small naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible in the fresh snow due to solar radiation.

At high and high alpine altitudes there wsa 5-15 cm of fresh snow widespread, in Hohe Tauern 30 cm, which was initially transported by stormy foehn winds and on Wednesday will be transported by NW winds. Bonding of drifts to the loose base deteriorate with ascending altitude. Rain up to 1500-2000 m has moistened the snowpack, the dropping temperatures will regain it some firmness. Atop this base the fresh snow will bond sufficiently.

The peaks will initially be in clouds, minor snowfall is possible. The clouds will then disperse, sunshine is expected, and better visibility. Very cold. At 2000 m: -9 degrees; at 3000 m: -16 degrees. Stormy NW winds will make it feel subjectively even colder.

Significantly rising temperatures on Thursday. Moistening of the snowpack up to intermediate altitudes. At high altitudes the snowdrifts are partly prone to triggering.