Lower Tauern South

Beware gliding snow, snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Beware gliding snow, snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Below 2700 m danger is moderate. Main danger: glide-snow avalanches, naturally triggerable in all aspects on steep grass-covered slopes, usually medium-sized. Avoid slopes with glide cracks. At high altitudes, esp. on N/NE/E facing slopes, isolated trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations, usually small sized. Danger zones occur esp. on very steep ridgeline slopes above 2600 m. Beware terrain where you can take a fall and discontinuities in the terrain.

Above 2000 m 5-10 cm of fresh snow is anticipated, moderate NW winds will generate small snowdrift accumulations at summit level, bonding well with the old snowpack surface, deposited near ridges in wind-quiet spaces, often difficult to recognize due to poor visibility.

On shady slopes above 2000 m the snowpack surface still has large reserves of cold. On south-facing slopes it is isotherm up to summit level.

On Saturday most peaks will be veiled in fog and clouds, visibility much reduced due to rainfall and snowfall, most in the Northern Alps, snowfall level dropping from 2000 down to 1700 m. At high altitudes in the Northern Alps, 5-10 cm fresh snow, moderate W/NW winds. At 2000 m: +1 degree. On Saturday night the precipitation will come to an end.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Gliding snow activity will recede somewhat.