Lower Tauern Central

Prone to triggering wind slab on weak persistent layer

Prone to triggering wind slab on weak persistent layer

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and moderate below. On slopes of all aspects, slab avalanches can be triggered very easily in some places (including remote triggering) by individuals. Naturally triggered avalanches are also possible. In particular on north-west to north to east-facing slopes above 2000 m, surface-triggered avalanches can break through into deeper layers and reach large dimensions. Danger areas are sometimes barely recognisable and require a very defensive choice of route. Small, wet loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches are possible at low and medium altitudes.

Since last weekend, half a metre to a metre of snow has fallen in strong winds from varying directions. Fresh and older wind slab snow overlaid with soft layers of faceted crystals and deep rime. In areas sheltered from the wind, on shady slopes above around 2000 m and on sunny slopes above 2400 m, surface hoar has also been snowed in in places. Breaks occur either in soft layers between the last snow packs or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. Rainfall weakens the snowpack at low and medium altitudes.

The night into Saturday will bring hardly any precipitation, but winds from the northwest to north may continue to blow in exposed high areas on the main ridge. The precipitation will increase again in the morning, with rain gradually falling up to around 1400 metres. At high altitudes, 5 to 15 cm of snow will fall, with winds blowing from west to north at 40 to 70 kilometres per hour. At 2000 m around -5 degrees, at 3000 m around -10 degrees.

Further precipitation with a rising snowfall level and persistent wind influence on Sunday night. The situation remains precarious!