Lower Tauern South

Weak layers in persistent weak layers remain prone to triggering

Weak layers in persistent weak layers remain prone to triggering

The avalanche risk is moderate above around 1800 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from west to north to east. Avalanches can tear through the persistent weak layer and thus become medium sized. Some avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise and require a defensive choice of route. Take particular care near transitions from little to more snow and in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies.

The snowpack can form a crust in the morning and is also partly wind-blown at high altitudes. Bonded snow overlays soft layers on the surface (e.g. surface hoar, faceted crystals) or older, hard packets of drift snow. In general, areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. The overall snow depth is well below average.

In the evening and during the night, stormy southerly foehn winds of 60 to 80 km/h will blow. Clouds gather and after midnight there is unproductive precipitation. During the day, clouds will predominate and visibility will often be limited. At 2000 metres it will be around -2 degrees, at 3000 metres -7 degrees. The Föhn wind will still be blowing at 50 to 70 km/h in the morning, but will then ease noticeably.

The persistent weak layer problem remains.