Lower Tauern South

Caution: trigger-sensitive snowdrifts in all aspects

Caution: trigger-sensitive snowdrifts in all aspects

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above the treeline, LOW below that altitude. Fresh snowdrifts are found in all aspects, also distant from ridgelines, including distant from ridgelines. Danger zones occur esp. in wind-protected gullies, bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Signs of wind and snowdrifts are often difficult to recognize in the poor visibility. A prudent route selection is essential. Orient your tracking along crests and ridges. AVOID descents on steep slopes above terrain-traps, e.g. a small superficial, released snowdrift mass. In addition, there are isolated weak layers inside the snowpack which are prone to triggering. Least favourable of all are very steep shady slopes above 2200 m and sunny slopes above 2800 m. Mostly, large additional loading is necessary to trigger an avalanche, e.g. a small superficial triggered snowdrift.

By Tuesday midday, 10-20 cm of fresh snow, more from place to place, was registered. The stormy NW winds transported fresh snow and loose old snow far-reachingly, the drifts now lie deposited in wind-protected terrain, e.g. gullies and bowls. The surface is highly irregular. Also on Wednesday, strong-to-stormy winds will be blowing and a few cm of fresh snow will fall. Additional snowdrift accumulations will be generated, deposited often atop an unfavourable snowpack surface. In some wind-protected zones there is also light, fluffy snow and surface hoar which have been blanketed, and which bond poorly with the snowdrifts. At mid-level inside the snowpack it is quite compact and well consolidated. In the lower part above 2200 m on shady slopes and above 2800 m on sunny slopes there are isolated weak layers which are prone to triggering. Often faceted crystals or intermediate melt-freeze crusts. At ground level there is depth hoar.

The peaks will mostly be shrouded in clouds, intermittent snow showers will pass through. Further south, clouds will disperse somewhat, visibility will be flat. Strong-to-stormy W/NW winds will be blowing. At 2000 m: -7 degrees; at 3000 m: -13 degrees.

On Thursday, 40-60 cm of fresh snow is forecast, more from place to place. Strong-to-stormy winds will accompany the precipitation. The likelihood of triggering will increase, medium-to-large naturally triggered avalanches are possible. Avalanche danger will climb to Danger Level 4 (HIGH).