Lower Tauern South

Evaluate snowdrifts and persistent weak layer problem with great caution

Evaluate snowdrifts and persistent weak layer problem with great caution

Avalanche danger above 2000m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is low. In all aspects, small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggerd by minimum additional loading in places. Danger zones occur mostly near ridgelines and behind protruberances in the landscape. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. As of 2300m, releases can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and grow to larger size. Small glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Avalanche danger above 2000m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is low. Slabs, mostly small-sized, can be triggered even by minimum additiional loading both near to and distant from ridgelines and behind protruberances in the landscape on north, northwest and south facing slopes. If they fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack the releases can grow to medium size. Isolated glide-snow avalanches reaching medium size are possible at any time of day or night.

Fresh and older snowdrift masses lie atop an expansively metamorphosed, loosely-packed snowpack surface with near-surface faceted crystals. Particularly in shady, shallow-snow zones there is snow which is rewarding to skiers, it is faceted, expansively metamorphosed powder which is settling increasingly with rising temperatures.

Nocturnal skies will be clear and mild, winds generally light-to-moderate, in the exposed summit regions of the Hohe Tauern southerly winds will intensify, reaching windspeeds of 60 km/hr. At 2000m: +2 degrees; at 3000m: -2 degrees. On Saturday, superb backcountry touring weather, sunshine and great visibility. Winds will be largely moderate to strong from east-to-south, in exposed ridgeline and summit terrain of the Hohe Tauern with gusts reaching 60 km/hr. At 2000m: +3 degrees; at 3000m: -1 degree. On Saturday night, star-studded skies, the brisk SE wind in the Tauern will persist.

Southerly winds are generating fresh, often trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations