Lower Tauern North

Avoid fresh snowdrifts

Avoid fresh snowdrifts

Avalanche danger is moderate. Main problem: snowdrifts. Above 2000 m the fresh snowdrifts esp. on N/S facing slopes are prone to treiggering. Avalanches in many places can be triggered by 1 person and reach medium size. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude, often unrecognizable due to poor visibility. The gliding snow activity will persist up to summit zones. Danger zones occur in all aspects. Glide-snow avalanches can release on steep grassy slopes and smooth rocky ground at any time of day and reach medium size. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

Through the winds, the fresh snow can be transported. Above 2000 m, a melt-freeze crust will form. Soft layers below it will become weak layers. Since the snowpack is thoroughly wet at low/intermediate altitudes the entire snowpack can glide over smooth ground if the gradient is steep enough.

The day will begin with heavy cloud cover, reduced visibility, possibly a small amount of snowfall. During the day, frequent sunshine which will dominate. Visibility will then improve noticeably. Winds will be mostly light to moderate from the west (30 km/hr). Mild air masses will move in from the west. At 2000 m temperatures will rise from -7 to -4 degrees.

As a result of higher temperatures the snowdrift problem will recede. The gliding snow problem will persist.