Lower Tauern North

Increasing wet-snow problem during daytime hours

Increasing wet-snow problem during daytime hours

Avalanche danger is initially low, then rises during the daytime to moderate below 2600m. On extremely steep sunny slopes below 2600m, wet loose-snow avalanches of medium size are possible due to daytime warming and solar radiation, either triggered naturally or by persons. Also medium-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in very steep grass-covered terrain. In isolated cases on steep shady slopes above 2200m, mostly small slab avalanches can be triggered.

The snowpack has settled, the surface is often encrusted in early morning. Weak layers inside the fresh fallen snow have consolidated well. In transitions to the old snowpack above 2000m, faceted crystals often form a weak layer. In the lower and middle parts of the snowpack above 2200m there are weak layers of faceted crystals which are embedded between crusts. Below 2000m the entire snowpack is moist. Melt-freeze crusts and snowpack itself soften up during the day, the snowpack can forfeit its bonding thereby. Where the ground was bare of snow before the recent precipitation, the entire snowpack can slide away as a glide-snow avalanche.

On Saturday morning, sunshine and good visibility. In afternoon, dense clouds will move in from the north. In evening, snow showers, the snowfall level at 2000m. Only minor amounts of fresh snow are anticipated (max.5cm). The NW winds will intensify significantly during the daytime on Saturday, brisk to strong during the afternoon hours. At 2000m: 0 to +4 degrees; at 3000m. -5 to -2 degrees. On Saturday night, temperatures are expected to drop about 10 degrees at all altitudes.

Activity of wet-snow avalanches will recede as temperatures drop. The persistent weak layer problem will persist.