Lower Tauern South

Daytime danger cycle of wet-snow avalanches

Daytime danger cycle of wet-snow avalanches

Following a night of cloudy skies the snowpack is weak already in the morning. Due to solar radiation and daytime warming, danger of wet-snow avalanches rises further during the day, particularly on E/S/W facing slopes below 2600m, but also on shady slopes below about 2200m, avalanches in the plummet path can swep along the entire thoroughly wet snowpack and grow to medium size, and where the snow is sufficient, to large size, particularly where there is sufficient snow on the ground

The snowpack on E/S/W facing slopes is thoroughly wet and, depending on aspect, even wet down to the ground and zero-degree isotherm. Also on shady slopes the snowpack was moistened up to high altitudes on Monday due to warmth and diffuse radiation. In the mostly cloudy nigt the snowpack cannot radiate its warmth outwards. During the dayime it softens further and forfeits its firmness. Free water on grassy slope ground enhances the gliding of the snowpack. On shady slopes in high alpine regions the snowpack is largely dry and quite stable.

On Thursday, reduced visibility due to clouds, only scattered in Tauern and Nockberge. As of midday, visibility will improve. Winds will be light from the west, southerly winds in the Tauern. At 2000m: 3-6 degrees; at 3000 m: -2 degrees.

Rainwater on Friday will further weaken the snowpack. Particularly on shady slopes, increasingly frequent wet-snow avalanches are expected.