Assess snowdrift accumulations on steep shady slopes with caution
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrift accumulations can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier, esp. in steep ridgeline terrain, on the Main Tauern Ridge also on slopes behind protruberances in the landscape which are distant from ridgelines.Avalanches can grow to medium size if they fracture to more deeply embedded layers. Trigger points lie esp. in transitions from shallow to deeper snow or in the opposite direction, esp, on very steep north-facing slopes. Naturally triggered small glide-snow avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
Southerly foehn winds will generated shallow snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes which atop the loose, faceted old snowpack surface will be prone to triggering. Inside the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorphose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. Snowdrifts can form a slab on the surface above the faceted crystals. On shady slopes loose snow is still evident, on sunny slopes it is turning to firn.
Tendency
As foehn winds persist, snowdrift problem will intensify. Otherwise no change expected.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Only isolated danger zones
Avalanche danger is low. Triggering a small slab (most likely above 2000m on shady very steep slopes) is possible in a few places. In isolated cases a small glide-snow avalanche is possible.
Snowpack
The fundament is weak (faceted crystals beneath crusts) but fracture propagation is unlikely (lacking slab). On shady slopes there is loose snow, on sunny slopes firn conditions are developing. On sunny slopes the layering is stable, gliding snow masses are being observed only seldom.
Tendency
On Saturday in Tennen Massif and the Grassy Mountains in the Upper Pinzgau, increasingly intense snowdrift problem due to southerly foehn wind. Elsewhere little change.
