Lower Tauern South

Wet-snow problem right from the start, plus persistent weak layer in high alpine regions

Wet-snow problem right from the start, plus persistent weak layer in high alpine regions

Avalanche danger above 1700 m is MODERATE right from the start. Below that altitude there is little snow on the ground. Naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches and isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible below 2400 m in extremely steep grassy terrain. These can grow to medium, even to large size in isolated cases. Very steep and not yet discharged starting zones in N/E aspects are the most problematic. Isolated danger zones for slab avalanches occur in high alpine regions (above 2600m) in NW/N/E aspects, also on south facing slopes further up. There, particularly by large additional loading, a dangerously large slab can be triggered particularly in steep ridgeline terrain.

The slopes are becoming bare by the day. What remains is 0-degree isotherm and wet over widespread areas. Most potential avalanches have already released. Relevant amounts remain in N/E aspects. Above 2600 m there are weak layers in the old snow (near the brown Sahara layer) at which several medium-sized and isolated large-sized slab avalanches have recently released.

Nighttime skies will be overcast, not cold, some rain. On Holy Saturday, clouds and fog will dominate at summit level. In the morning til noon, temperatures will drop to 7 degrees from the north, due to intensifying northerly winds, repeated bouts of rainfall, snowfall level will descend from 2200 m to 1400 m, no relevant amounts of fresh snow will fall. At 2000 m: dropping from +1 to 4 degrees during the course of the day. Saturday night, skies at least partly clear. On Easter Sunday, sunny, often cloudless, but colder than recently. At 2000 m: -6 degrees.

On Sunday and Monday, following clear, cold nights the snowpack in the morning will be frozen and then turn to firn. Persistent weak layer problem will recede in high alpine regions.