Nock Mountains

The old snowpack is generally poorly constructed and requires defensive behaviour

The old snowpack is generally poorly constructed and requires defensive behaviour

The avalanche risk increases rapidly with altitude and is moderate above around 2000 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can only be triggered by individuals in a few places but can reach medium size if they tear through the old snowpack. Some avalanche prone locations are covered in snow and difficult to recognise. Take particular care in the north to east aspects, especially in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls, behind terrain edges and at the transition from little to more snow. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of being swept away and falling should also be taken into account.

The snowpack is highly variable and areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. Some of these are covered by a few centimetres of settled new fallen snow. Older snowdrift accumulations have been transformed in places and are soft and in places hard as a board. Underneath, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms interspersed with crusts. Breaks in the persistent weak layer usually occur around the uppermost crust. During the night, melt-freeze crusts and surface hoar form, while during the day the snowpack is slightly soaked on the sunny slopes. The total snow depth is well below average.

On Monday, the sky above localised patches of fog will be mostly cloudless from the morning onwards and visibility will be very good. A few high clouds may pass through in the afternoon, but the peaks will remain clear. In the foehn wind corridors of the Tauern, a brisk southerly wind will freshen up in the afternoon, with gusts of around 50 km/h. Temperatures at 2000 m between -8 and -2 degrees, at 3000 m between -11 and -7 degrees.

The avalanche danger increases slightly with the foehn storm on Tuesday.