Lower Tauern South

Danger zones in gullies and transitions where the snow is shallow

Danger zones in gullies and transitions where the snow is shallow

Avalanche danger is LOW. Most danger zones are in W/N/E aspects distant from ridges and in steep gullies, in shallow-snow transition zones and high-alpine steep terrain, where large additional loading could releases a slab of medium size. The fresh snowdrifts in W/S/E facing ridgeline terrain are generally thin, the biggest risk is being forced to take a fall.

On shady wind-protected slopes there is settled powder atop a compact old snowpack. Near ridges the surface is wind-impacted, and these effects increase visibly with ascending altitude. On steep sunny slopes the snow is moistened up to intermediate altitudes, the nocturnally formed melt-freeze crust softens up. Hidden beneath the compact wind crusts are soft, faceted layers (persistent weak layer). These layers tend towards fracture propagation but are unlikely to trigger. In isolated cases there are initial sings of a near-surface COLD ON WARM problem on steep high-alpine sunny slopes (above 2600 m).

On Saturday, mostly sunshine from the start, isolated low lying clouds might impede visibility. Winds E/NE at 30 km/hr. At 2000 m: -12 to -8 degrees. On Sunday, sunny weather, outstanding visibility. Starting at midday, convective cloud build-up is possible but visibility will be adequate. At 2000 m: -11 to -7 degrees. NE winds in exposed terrain 30 km/hr.

No significant change is expected.