Lower Tauern South

Considerable danger: naturally triggered avalanches expected

Considerable danger: naturally triggered avalanches expected

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. Due to higher temperatures and solar radiation on Saturday, naturally triggered wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches are expected, mostly medium sized, also larger. Avalanche activity will swiftly increase, esp. on S/E facing slopes below 2400 m, in late morning, then spread to all aspects over the course of the day, on south-facing slopes at all altitudes, on north-facing slopes below 2400 m, and on E/W facing slopes below 2800 m. Esp. in rocky terrain with little snow isolated wet-snow slab avalanches are also possible, these can plummet down to ground where there is no snow on the ground. Backcountry tours should pay close heed to the march of time during the day, and its results. The huge cornices forfeit their firmness due to moistness, will break often as the day progresses.

The snowpack has insufficient outgoing radiation at night when skies are cloudy. On the surface only a thin melt-freeze crusts can form which swiftly softens in the morning. On north-facing slopes above 2200 m the snowpack will be thoroughly wet for the first time on Saturday. The stable snowpack means that most avalanches will be glide-snow avalanches and loose wet-snow avalanches. Wet slab avalanches are more likely where there is little snow and in rocky terrain. Due to the loss of firmness of the snowpack, the glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches can sweep lots of wet snow along in their plummet path.

Exceptionally high temperatures! Cloudy nocturnal skiees. On Saturday, lots of sunshine, excellent visibility, light winds. Only in high-alpine zones of the Tauern will the southerly winds be brisk. Focus: mild air, record-breakingly mild. At 2000 m: 11-12 degrees; at 3000 m: 5-6 degrees, highly unusual for this juncture of the season.

High wet-snow/gliding snow activity will persist.