Lower Tauern Central

Loose-snow slides during the daytime in extremely steep terrain

Loose-snow slides during the daytime in extremely steep terrain

Avalanche danger is low. Due to higher temperatures and solar radiation, small loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep terrain (>40°). Also small glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night in all aspects.

Due to rising temperatures, the snowpack has receded and is moistened at surface level up to intermediate altitudes, or else utterly wet. Overnight a melt-freeze crust can form which will then soften up during the daytime. The snowpack evidences currently no marked weak layers. On grass-covered slopes or rocky plates the entire snowpack could begin to glide away. At high altitudes the near-surface loose-snow layers are often blanketed.

On Thursday, initially thin wispy cloudbanks will pass through, hampering the sunshine and creating diffuse light conditions. In the afternoon, clouds will become denser from the west. Winds will be blowing at brisk velocity in the foehn lanes of the Tauern, elsewhere winds will be ight. Temperatures will drop. At 2000m: from 5 in the early morning hours to -1 degree in the evening; at 3000m: from -2 to -7 degrees.

Increasing avalanche danger levels (snowdrift problem) expected due to fresh snow and wind impact.