Lower Tauern South

Snowdrifts at high altitudes. Wet-snow problem in daytime cycle.

Snowdrifts at high altitudes. Wet-snow problem in daytime cycle.

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW but rises to Level 2 by midday. The fresh snowdrifts formed by fresh snow and strong NW winds are triggerable particularly by large additional loading (in high alpine regions by minimum additional loading). Frequency of danger zones and depth of the drifts increase with ascending altitude. Most danger zones are in extended E/S aspects in ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches on extremely steep grassy slopes; and in sunny phases: loose-snow avalanches in rocky steep terrain.

Fresh snow and snowdrifts at high altidues (30-50 cm) are bonding well up to 2100 m. Above that altidue the bonding deteriorates. Artificial triggerings with explosives in E/S aspects have demonstrated this amply. Due to warming and solar radiation, the fresh snow is forfeiting its firmness, the superficial melt-freeze crusts soften rapidly.

On Monday, frequent sunshine, hampered only slightly by clouds passing through. Little wind. Noticeable warming. At 2000 m: from -4 to +3 degrees; at 3000 m: from -8 to -2 degrees. On Monday night, only thin clouds, adequate outgoing longwave radiation. Tuesday will be sunny, only thin cirrus clouds. It will be a notch warmer. At 2000 m: 5-8 degrees; at 3000 m: +1 degree.

In high alpine regions, moderate snowdrift problem persists, although the proneness to triggering is diminishing. Pronounced daytime cycle of wet-snow avalanche danger up to high altitude.