Lower Tauern South

First fine-weather day after heavy snowfall

The recent fresh fallen snow has been transported by NE/S winds. All in all, since Monday and Tuesday’s fresh snowfall there has been up to 40 cm of fresh snow registered. Gullies and leeward bowls are filled to the brim with drifts. Bonding between the fresh snow (fell at mild temperatures) and the cold snow beneath it is poor.

First fine-weather day after heavy snowfall

Avalanche danger above 1800m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is MODERATE. The variable winds in recent days have loaded SE/N slopes with drifts. A medium slab avalanche can be triggered even by minimum additional loading. Avalanche prone locations occur mostly near ridgelines, also distant from ridgelines in high alpine regions, and in steep gullies and bowls. In high alpine regions, superficial avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers and grow to large size. Due to solar radiation, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can trigger in extremely steep, rocky terrain.

Wednesday will be very sunny following early morning fogbanks on the valley floors. Excellent visibility in the dry winter air. Winds will be light. At 2000 m: -1 degree, at 3000 m: -7 degrees. On Thursday, initially still sunshine, but visibility will deteriorate from the north gradually. In the northern regions, brisk northerly winds will arise. At 2000 m: -7 degrees, at 3000 m: -11 degrees.

Little change is expected.