Lower Tauern South

Wet snow activates the persistent weak layer problem

Wet snow activates the persistent weak layer problem

The avalanche risk is moderate. Wet loose snow and slab avalanches are possible quickly on slopes that have not yet been discharged in all aspects and altitudes. The avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by winter sports. They usually remain medium in size, but with the accumulation of wet snow and tearing through to weak layers close to the ground, large avalanches are conceivable in exceptional cases.

In a few places above 2200 m in the extended northern sector, weak layers can still be disturbed directly in the persistent weak layer by individuals, and the snow slabs can reach medium size.

Small, fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can be disturbed in high, blown-in gullies and generally at the transition from little to much snow, especially adjacent to ridgelines.

The outgoing longwave radiation at night is poor, only a thin melt cover forms locally, which softens quickly. There is well-settled snow from the last periods of precipitation underneath some new or wind slab snow, but softer layers are embedded, especially at higher altitudes, which enable near-surface fractures. On shady slopes from around 2200 metres, there are still prone to triggering weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. At medium altitudes, rain has soaked the snowpack and the moisture remains inside overnight. Low altitudes are often already snowed out.

Tonight, the last showers are still to be expected in some areas (snowfall level between 1500 and 1900 metres). However, no further large amounts of new snow are expected. After midnight, dry weather will prevail, but the clouds will remain quite dense. Temperatures at 2000 m around +1 degree, at 3000 m around -5 degrees. Tomorrow, Sunday, sun and clouds will alternate, so visibility will vary to some extent. In the afternoon, some additional cumulus clouds will appear, which may temporarily shroud higher peaks in fog. Individual subsequent showers will be the exception and it will mostly remain free of precipitation. At high altitudes in the Tauern, a brisk southerly wind will blow at times during the day. Temperatures at 2000 metres between 5 and 9 degrees, at 3000 metres between -1 and +1 degree.

The wet snow problem remains.