Lower Tauern Central

On north-facing slopes: avoid fresh foehn-induced snowdrifts

On north-facing slopes: avoid fresh foehn-induced snowdrifts

Snowdrift problem: wherever the foehn was blowing (wind signs are easily recognizable) there are on shady leeward slopes easily triggered snowdrift accumulations. The impulst of one sole persons can trigger avalanches, also small remote triggerings are possible. Potential avalanches are generally small, but the risk of being swept along and forced to fall need consideration, and in isolate cases there is enough snow to bury a person. Persistent weak layer: very few danger zones, mostly in shallow-snow transitions in shady, steep terrain, where large additional loading can trigger a rare slab and grow to medium size. Most danger zones are in NW/N/NE aspects in terrain distant from ridges and in steep gullies. Naturally triggered avalanches, due to sunshine and daytime warming: in very isolated cases, glide-snow avalanches can release. As of midday, small moist-snow slides are possible (danger of falling). Both types on extremely steep slopes.

The intensifying foehn wind will persist on Sunday, and transport the snow wherever it find old powder. Fresh snowdrift accumulations of the last 30 hours have been deposited on surface hoar on north-facing slopes and on faceted powder, the are easily triggerable. Frequency and size are modest. Apart from wind impact, there is stable powder on shady slopes, atop compact old snow. On sunny slopes the melt-freeze crust in the right aspect and gradient (S/SW, 1500-2000 m) is capable of bearing loads and softens up to differing degrees during the daytime, mostly the uppermost 5-10 cm. Inside the old snowpack there are soft, facted layers (persistent weak layer), but they are currently unlikely to trigger.

Sunday will be brilliantly sunny, outstanding visibility, low air moisture. Winds generally at 30 km/hr, in exposed zones and north-facing terrain up to 60 km/hr. At 2000 m: 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -4 degrees. Monday will bring some cloudbanks, otherwise good backcountry touring weather. Light winds. At 2000 m: 0 degrees.

No significant change is expected.