Wölz Tauern South

Older, fresher snowdrift accumulations, variable winds, danger zones increasing with nearness to Main Tauern Ridge

Older, fresher snowdrift accumulations, variable winds, danger zones increasing with nearness to Main Tauern Ridge

The focus of avalanche danger lies in the regions where fresh snow will be heaviest in northern Upper Styria. But the fresh drifts on the southern flank of the Alps should not be neglected which generated last week amid strong NW winds as of Tuesday and SW winds on Thursday. Also on Sunday, further snowdrift accumulations will be generated, most on E/S facing slopes. Danger above the treeline is moderate, though even minimum additional loading is sufficient to trigger the shallow snowdrift patches. Transitions from deep to shallow snow require special caution.

Already last weekend the snowdrifts were being deposited onto hardened, sometimes surface-hoar encrusted surfaces. Since Tuesday the the NW winds have intensified and as of Sunday will intensify further. The old snowpack beneath drifts was able to settle, but on steep high-altitude shady slopes the snowpack is riddled with faceted corn snow forms and melt-freeze crusts, thus is weakened; and in lee terrain is covered with surface hoar. Elsewhere the snowpack is wind-pressed or else hard and icy.

The Eastern Alps lie in the grip of a NW air current. After the warm front on Saturday moved on, bringing only minor precipitation on the northern flank of the Alps, on Sunday a cold front will bring minor precipitation along the Northern Alps and Niedere Tauern. The snowfall level will descend from 1000 m in the morning down to 600 m. Low lying clouds will disperse at midday from the west (most persistent in Hochschwab and eastwards) . Winds will be at the forefront, reaching gale strength in high alpine regions. The south has favorable conditions: short showers can pass through, but sunshine will dominate. Temperatures at midday in northern regions: -7 degrees at 2000 m; -3 degrees at 1500 m; south of the Tauern and in the rimline ranges, -4 to 0 degrees.

Following a brief intermediate high, the next cold front will reach Upper Styria on Monday. It will bring precipitation to the northern barrier cloud regions and stormy winds, lasting till mid-week. Slow rise in avalanche danger.