Lower Tauern North

Daytime increase in avalanche danger due to fresh snow and wind

Daytime increase in avalanche danger due to fresh snow and wind

Avalanche danger is low during the morning hours During the daytime, danger above 2000m will rise to moderate. Where winds transport the fresh fallen snow, avalanches can be triggered even by one sole skier and in isolated cases grow to medium size. Fresh snowdrift accumulations occur both near to and distant from ridgelines, behind protruberances in the terrain, and in gullies and bowls. Particularly below 2000m the old snowpack is thoroughly wet and small-to-medium wet-snow avalanches are possible. Avalanches in high altitudes can sweep along more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack and in isolated cases plummet all the way down to the green zones. Small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in very to extremely steep grass-covered terrain.

By Saturday evening 15-20cm of fresh snow is anticipated at high altitudes. Above 2200m on north-facing slopes weak layers of faceted crystals are found in the lowermost part of the snowpack. Above 2400m on W/S/E facing slopes there are faceted crystals between crusts. Inside the snowdrifts, in addition, trigger-sensitive layers can form rapidly. Inside the snowdrifts, in addition, trigger-sensitive layers can form rapidly. Below 2000m the snowpack will forfeit its firmness on Friday night due to rainfall and water seepage.

The mountains will be shrouded in dense clouds all day long, rainfall and snowfall will be persistent and moderate, the snowfall level at 1600m, on Friday evening still at 2000m in places. At high altitudes, strong N/NW winds, intensifying during the daytime hours, reaching windspeeds of 60 km/hr. Elsewhere winds will be moderate to brisk. At 2000m: -3 degrees, at 3000m: -7 degrees C.

On Saturday night, increase in avalanche danger due to increasing amounts of fresh snow and wind