Lower Tauern South

Caution: avalanche danger has increased measurably

Caution: avalanche danger has increased measurably

Avalanche danger above the treeline is CONSIDERABLE (3), below that altitude danger is LOW. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by the impulse of one sole skier. Potential avalanches can be medium to large sized. Most danger zones occur in N/E/S aspects, and here, mostly in steep terrain distant from ridges down to steep forest lanes.

The old snowpack has settled well, is usually topped by a melt-freeze crust. Exposed terrain is utterly windblown, hardened or icy. On top of that the cold fresh snow is deposited amid lots of wind. Fresh snowdrifts are triggered with relative ease. Inside the snowpack are soft layers of faceted crystals, usually beneath hard layers of melt-freeze crusts. These weak layer are currently not relevant to triggering.

On Tuesday, poor visibility, ongoing snowfall in the morning. In the afternoon the snowfall will pause, visibility improve. Stormy NW winds at 60-80 km/hr will be blowing. Fresh snow between Monday evening and Tuesday evening: 15 to 20 cm. At 2000 m: -8 degrees, at 3000 m: -16 degrees. On Wednesday morning poor visibility again, with snow showers. Fresh snow: another 10-15 cm. As of midday, visibility will noticeably improve, and some sunshine can be expected. Stormy NW winds, slackening off in late afternoon. At 2000 m: -6 degrees, at 3000 m: -12 degrees.

Considerable snowdrift problem above the timberline.