Lower Tauern Central

Moisture penetrates into poor persistent weak layers

Moisture penetrates into poor persistent weak layers

The avalanche risk is low at low altitudes in the morning and rises rapidly to level 3 everywhere due to heat and radiation. In addition, from the tree line onwards, especially medium, but sometimes also large dry slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places (even from a distance). All aspects are affected, but increasingly the north-east sector. Danger areas are difficult to recognise away from obvious pillows of wind drifted snow, which is why caution and a defensive choice of route is still advised. This applies in particular in the area of the tree line and in forest aisles. As the snowpack softens, spontaneous wet loose snow and gliding avalanches are to be expected on the sunny slopes, in low to medium altitudes also in the northern sector. It is also possible for skiers to release wet snow slabs. Loose snow slides can easily tear through the drift and persistent weak layer and reach dangerous sizes.

The upper part of the snowpack is made up of several slab thicknesses of new fallen snow from the last week, which was influenced by the wind. Especially at the beginning, snow fell with less wind and at colder temperatures, which is why soft layers are also embedded. These overlay even older wind slab snow, which in turn lies on an unfavourable base of faceted crystals and deep rime. Fractures primarily occur between the last snow packs, but can also penetrate through to the old snow foundation, which is usually completely transformed. During the night, a mostly stable melt cover forms, which softens quickly during the day with the warmth. In places with little snow, the snowpack is already approaching isothermal conditions.

The night is dry and starry, and the wind should not be an issue. Excellent visibility and plenty of sunshine on Thursday, with a few high clouds appearing from time to time. The wind will be rather weak and mostly below freight strength. At 2000 metres it will be quite mild with temperatures between 4 and 6 degrees, at 3000 metres around -1 or 0 degrees.

Only a slow decline in the risk due to poor old snow cover.