Lower Tauern Central

Top springtime conditions, daytime cycle: danger rises to MODERATE

Top springtime conditions, daytime cycle: danger rises to MODERATE

Avalanche danger in the morning is LOW, then rises due to daytime loss of snowpack firmness to MODERATE. On sun-drenched steep slopes, naturally triggered or skier-induced small-to-moderate wet loose snow avalanches are possible. Isolated, seldom glide snow avalanches (small-to-medium) are possible at any time of day or night in very steep grass-covered terrain, though the likelihood is greatest in afternoon and evening. Heed glide cracks.

The snowpack is capable of bearing loads to start with. Often hard-as-steel and icy. During the course of the day it softens slowly. On sunny slopes the uppermost 10 cm become soft, on west-facing and north-facing slopes they remain hard for longer. Glide-snow activity on extremely steep slopes has recently increased.

On Tuesday cloudless skies, very clear, low air moisture, southerly winds up to 30-40 km/hr in exposed zones. Unchanged temperatures. No change on Wednesday, cloudless, little wind, low moisture. At 2000 m: 5 degrees.

For the rest of the week, terrific springtime conditions, small avalanche risks. Starting on Wednesday and Thursday, increasing daytime cycle of danger with wet-snow problem in the warm afternoons.