Lower Tauern South

Few danger zones for dry slab avalanches. Glide-snow problem below 2000m.

Few danger zones for dry slab avalanches. Glide-snow problem below 2000m.

LOW avalanche danger. Fractures in weak layers in lower part of snowpack can in isolated cases be triggered by large additional loading. Transitions from shallow to deep snow are unfavourable on very steep (>35°) N/E facing slopes above 2200 m. Avalanches can reach medium size. In addition, on steep smooth grassy slopes below 2000 m, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night which can reach medium size. Pass through terrain below glide cracks as quickly as possible. Due to rainfall, likelihood of mostly small wet loose-snow avalanches will rise somewhat. A soft, weak snowpack is indicative of rising danger. Fresh, small snowdrift accumulations are being generated on east-facing slopes. The are bonding well with the old snowpack and are unlikely to trigger.

The snowpack is quite stable. More deeply embedded layers in the old snow (faceted crystals, also melt-freeze crusts) are unlikely to trigger. Strong westerly winds are not transporting much loose snow. Small snowdrift patches lie deposited atop a favourable snowpack surface, although highly irregular (showing impact of warmth and sun below 1500 m and on all sunny slopes, still powdery on shady wind-protected slopes, elsewhere showing signs of wind impact). Wind-exposed terrain is often bare of snow. The snowpack softens during the course of the day and thus forfeits its firmness.

On Sunday the peaks will often be shrouded in clouds. In the afternoon, showers will spread throught he Northern Alps to the Tauern, snowfall level will lie between 1300 and 1700 m. In between there will also be sunshine. At high altitudes, stormy NW winds in places. At 2000 m: -1 degree; at 3000 m: -7 degrees.

No significant change is expected in avalanche danger levels.