Lower Tauern South

Consider persistent weak layer in tour planning

Consider persistent weak layer in tour planning

The avalanche risk is considerable from around 2000 m, below that it is low. In a few places, medium to large dry slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals, especially on shady slopes. Most avalanche prone locations are in the north and east sectors, at higher altitudes (from around 2400 m) they also occur on the west and south sides. Take care in the transition from little to more snow. Danger areas are difficult to recognise away from obvious pillows of wind drifted snow. Caution and a defensive route choice are still advised, especially when danger signs such as booming noises, cracks and fresh avalanches occur. Individual gliding avalanches occur on steep grassy terrain. Wet loose snow avalanches and snow slabs from sunny slopes that have not yet been unloaded are also possible.

On the sunny slopes, the snowpack has a (more or less stable) melt-freeze crust for a short time, underneath it is moist to wet up to high altitudes. On the shady slopes, soft, dry snow can still be found from around 1800 metres. The snow cover of the past week has settled, but the connection to the angular old snow underneath is still poor in places, with some weak layers at the transition to the old snow and deeper in the old snowpack. Deep and sunny middle layers are often already tapped out.

The night will be clear at times, with clear clouds moving through from the west along the Hohe Tauern. On Wednesday, sunny weather will prevail during the morning. The wind will be light at all altitudes. Temperatures at 2000 metres around -1 degrees, at 3000 metres around -8 degrees. Thursday night will be clear with little change in temperatures.

The persistent weak layer problem continues to make the situation in the terrain difficult to assess. There will be slight daytime changes in wet avalanches on Thursday.