Lower Tauern South

Fresh snowdrifts + weak old snow in places

Fresh snowdrifts + weak old snow in places

Frequency of danger zones for slab avalanches increases with ascending altitude. Above 2000 m danger is MODERATE. The most recent snowdrift accumulations can be triggered even by one person on steep slopes (>35°). Danger zones occur mostly in ridgeline terrain and pass areas as well as behind abrupt discontinuties in the terrain. The danger zones are easily recognized. Fractures can reach more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack by large additional loading, e.g. a superficially triggered slab. Triggerings from one sole skier are possible only in very isolated cases in transitions from shallow to deep snow in very steep (>35°) terrain. Avalanches which fracture down into the old snowpack can grow to large size. On steep smooth grassy slopes below 2400 m in all aspects, isolated glide-snow avalanches up to medium size can trigger natureally. Thus, spots below glide-cracks should be assiduously avoided. In addition, due to higher temperatures and solar radiation, wet loose-snow avalanches are possible in extremely steep (>40°) terrain.

Temperatures have risen noticeably, the weekend drifts (north-facing slopes atop loose snowpack) have settled further, the proneness to triggering has receded. Fresh snow and drifts from last weekend are well bonded with the old snowpack. In south-facing terrain a thin melt-freeze crust on steep slopes has formed. In other aspects on leeward slopes there is good powder.

On Monday, sunny mountain weather, outstanding visibility above the local banks of haze and fog. Light winds. At 2000 m: +2 to +4 degrees; at 3000 m: 0 degrees.

Snowdrift accumulations are bonding swiftly with the snowpack below them amid warmer temperatures. On extremely steeep sunny slopes, isolated moist slides are possible.