Lower Tauern South

Caution: instable snowdrifts and (often) old-snow problem

Treacherous ongoingly! Numerous snowdrift accumulations in backcountry which can be relatively easily triggered. Experience and restraint are still essential.

Caution: instable snowdrifts and (often) old-snow problem

Restraint is still called for! Foehn wind on Saturday, the concealed old-snow problem at high altitude and now, the freshly generated, frequently widespread snowdrift accumulations are creating numerous danger zones which can frequently be triggered even by the weight of one sole person. Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above the timberline. All aspects are treacherous, but today NE/S/SW in particular. Due to windblown terrain and generally rough ground surfaces in backcountry touring zones, avalanche prone locations can be easily underestimated.

The milder foehn phase on Saturday helped the snowpack to settle. In the foehn zones on north-facing slopes, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been deposited. The very cold fresh snow on Sunday will frequently be accompanied by strong winds. These newly generated drifts can be deposited on top of loosely-packed snow. Above about 2200 m, at least in extended northern aspects, there is a thin fracturable melt-freeze crust from November (old-snow problem).

On Saturday night and during the day on Sunday, 20-40 cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Intermittent very strong winds of 30-40 km/hr, up to 50 km/hr on the Main Alpine Ridge. Poor visibility, the peaks will be shrouded in fog, frequent snowfall is anticipated. Temperatures will drop noticeably: at 2000 m to -9 degrees, at 3000 m -16 degrees. On Monday, low lying clouds and fog, occasional light snowfall. Still cold.