Lower Tauern South

Persistent weak layer on unfavorable snowpack: still triggerable

Persistent weak layer on unfavorable snowpack: still triggerable

Avalanche danger above 1500 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Slabs can be triggered in some places at high altitudes and grow to intermediate and (in isolated cases) large size, mostly be large additional loading, e.g. a fall, a group without distances, stomping. Danger zones exist especially near ridges, but also behind protruberances distant from ridges, and in gullies. Particularly in transitions into wind-loaded zones, there are fracture points for slab avalanches lurking. Below 2500 m, in additional, in very steep grassy terrain, isolated glide-snow avalanches, mostly small-to-medium sized, are possible.

The snowpack has settled well during the mild phase at mid-week, the snowfall at the beginning of the week has gained firmness. On sunny slopes the warmth has created melt-freeze crusts up to 2500 m. On purely shady slopes the snow remains loose and powdery, in exposed zones it is wind-pressed. Weak points of the snowpack: 1. persistent weak layer above intermediate altitudes, faceted crystals at melt-freeze crusts, can be triggered in open terrain because its blanketing is so thin; 2. gliding snow on steep grassy slopes below 2500 m, where the snowpack glides in its entirety over the ground; 3. fresh, thin snowdrifts due to W/NW winds.

On Friday, weather will change, a cold front will move in. Visibility will often be reduced. Strong winds will push snow showers through the land (5-10 cm of fresh snow, focus in Northern Alps). The snowfall level will rapidly descend down to low lying areas. In open terrain, winds will be blowing at 50-70 km/hr from west to northwest. At 2000 m: dropping from -3 to -10 degrees; at 3000 m: from -9 to -16 degrees. On Saturday, residual cloud to start with, and fogbanks, otherwise sunny and good visibility at summit level. In the Tauern a southerly foehn wind will be blowing at 30-50 km/hr. At 2000 m: rising from -8 to -1 degree; at 3000 m, from -10 to -6 degrees.

Trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations from southerly foehn winds in Tauern region. At high altitudes of the Northern Alps, fresh danger zones.