Lower Tauern South

Beware fresh snowdrifts

Beware fresh snowdrifts

Avalanche danger is MODERATE. Fresh ridgeline snowdrifts in high and high-alpine terrain can trigger a medium slab in isolated cases, most danger zones occur on N/E/S facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In case of solar radiation, small loose-snow avalanches can release in extremely steep terrain. Glide-snow avalanches can still release naturally.

Atop a thoroughly moist snowpack, 20-30 cm of cold snow lie deposited at high altitudes. Reserves of cold in the old snow are limited to shady slopes above 2600 m. The fresh snow is bonding well. Brisk W/NW winds are generating fresh snowdrift accumulations, weak layer for a slab is the fresh snow beneath them or in layers of the fresh snow itself.

Final showers will taper off and end during the night, after midnight the clouds will disperse, winds will remain predominantly light.On Friday, bright intervals to start with, clouds becoming heavier later on, the peaks disappearing in fog. Dry until afternoon, then snowfall starting in the north (5 cm), intensifying westerly winds. At 2000 m: rising from -8 to -3 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels will increase over the next few days, depending on amounts of fresh snowfall.