Lower Tauern South

Fresh snowdrifts and persistent weak layer

Fresh snowdrifts and persistent weak layer

Avalanche danger is moderate above 1800 m, low below that altitude. Fresh snowfall and wind have generated fresh snowdrift accumulations. Below 1800 m, on sunny slopes up to summit levels, the drifts lie deposited atop a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads. Esp. on shady slopes above 1800 m it lies atop a still loose snowpack surface and is prone to triggering. In addition, weak layers are possibly forming inside the snowpack. A layer of faceted crystals which formed in mid-January is blanketed by a thin melt-freeze crust on steep sunny slopes. Where there is a melt-freeze crust, faceted crystals are large and constitute a weak layer in the old snowpack. Due to ground warmth the latent danger of glide-snow avalanches persists.

The 10-20 cm of fresh snow and winds have generated fresh snowdrift accumulations. Below 1800 m, on sunny slopes up to summit levels, the drifts lie deposited atop a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads. Esp. on shady slopes above 1800 m it lies atop a still loose snowpack surface and is prone to triggering. In addition, weak layers are possibly forming inside the snowpack. On high-altitude shady slopes there are faceted crystals near the surface, only seldom to be triggered. Due to ground warmth the latent danger of glide-snow avalanches persists.

About 10-20 cm of fresh snow is anticipated, up to 30 cm in the Northern Alps. On Friday, heavy cloud cover, reduced visibility, isolated light showers (above 900 m as snow). On the southern flank of the Alps, extended sunny phases and predominantly dry everywhere, the clouds will disperse. Winds will be moderate from the west, in Niedere Tauern stronger. At 2000 m: -4 degrees; at 3000 m: -9 degrees.

The snowdrift problem will diminish due to warmth over the weekend. The persistent weak layer persists.