Lower Tauern South

Naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches on steep slopes

Naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches on steep slopes

LOW avalanche danger prevails. Near-surface wet (also dry, at high altitudes) loose-snow avalanches (mostly small, seldom medium) in extremely steep rocky terrain are the main danger. At high and high-alpine altitudes, espeically on N/E facing slopes and in gullies, there are danger zones due to shallow snowdrift patches. Isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches (small-to-medium) are possible. Risks of falling or being forced to fall due to blanketed rocks outweigh those of being buried in snow.

Atop a well consolidated base, 10-20 cm of fresh snow was registered at high altitudes; in exposed terrain it was transported by W/NW winds. Bonding of fresh snow/drifts to the old snowpack is generally good, but deteriorates with ascending altitude. The old snowpack is generally compact, but in isolated cases the melt-freeze layer has developed a weak layer with the Sahara dust at high and high-alpine altitudes. This layer is not triggerable, or if, then only with large additional loading, e.g. through a superficial avalanche.

On Thursday, frequent sunshine. Some convective cloud build-up is expected during the daytime, but visibility will remain adequate. Light to moderate northerly winds will be blowing. At 2000 m: -2 to +3 degrees; at 3000 m: -5 degrees. On Friday, outstanding visibility and frequent sunshine. In the afternoon, thin cirrus clouds above summit level, and some harmless convective clouds. Light to moderate northerly winds. At 2000 m: +4 degrees; at 3000 m: -3 degrees.

On Friday, following a night of clear skies, favorable conditions with a slight daytime danger cycle.