Lower Tauern South

Wet-snow problem & persistent weak layer in high alpine regions

Wet-snow problem & persistent weak layer in high alpine regions

Avalanche danger above 1700m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches below 2400m and isolated glide-snow avalanches in extremely steep grassy terrain are possible. They can reach medium size, in isolated cases even large size. Danger zones are particularly steep wooded zones. Danger zones for slab avalanches occur in high alpine regions in NW/N/E aspects, in high alpine regions also on steep south-facing slopes. There, especially large additional loading can trigger a dangerously large slab. Avalanche prone locations occur particularly near ridges and in wind-loaded gullies and steep bowls.

A string of spring days has hastened the snow’s disappearance from the slopes. The snowpack is 0-degree isotherm and is being further burdened by rainfall. Above 2600m there are weak layers inside the snowpack (near the reddish brown layer of Sahara dust) where several medium-sized and one large-sized avalanche were recently triggered.

Thursday night skies will be heavily overcast, rainfall will spread starting in the early morning hours. On Friday, repeated bouts of rainfall, visibility often reduced, though short bright intervals are possible from place to place. Initially NW winds will be light, as of midday they will intensify. At 2000 m: +3 degrees, at 3000m: -4 degrees. On Saturday, initially residual clouds and rain/snow showers (snowfall level at 1200m, in high alpine regions maximum 10-15 cm of fresh snow). The northerly winds will reach windspeeds of 50 km/hr in the Tauern, they will be weaker in the Northern Alps. At 2000 m: -2 degrees; at 3000 m: -10 degrees.

On Saturday at high altitudes, a bit of fresh snow which will bond well with the moist snowpack base. Despite lower temperatures the wet-snow problem will persist wherever there is sufficient snow on the ground.