Nock Mountains

Caution: trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations

Caution: trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is MODERATE, below that altitude dange is LOW. Fresh snowdrifts on E/S/W facing slopes are often prone to triggering. Avalanches of small-to-medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading on very setep slopes. Danger zones occur esp. near ridgelines, in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. They are easily recognized with adequate visibility and should be circumvented. In the Tauern, superficial releases can in isolated cases fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and grow to larger size, particularly on shady slopes above 2200 m. These danger zones are not visible to the naked eye. In northern regions, solar radiation will cause small loose-snow avalanches to release on extremely steep sunny slopes.

Amid moderate to strong northerly winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations were generated on Friday. They lie deposited on E/S/W facing leeward slopes atop soft layers and are prone to triggering in places. The fresh snow from last week has settled and consolidated well for the most part. In the Tauern there are isolated weak layers in the snowpack fundament, sometimes melt-freeze crusts, particularly on shady slopes at high altitudes.

On Sunday, mostly sunshine, only thin clouds will pass through. At 2000 m: -7 degrees. Light to moderate NW winds in the mountains.

On Monday, a cold front from the northwest will reach us. In the afternoon in the northern regions in particular, snowfall will set in. Winds will be strong to stormy. Fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated. Avalanche danger levels will increase.