Nock Mountains

Wet-snow problem up to high altitudes. Above 2300m: assess snowdrifts and wet snow critically!

Wet-snow problem up to high altitudes. Above 2300m: assess snowdrifts and wet snow critically!

Avalanche danger is moderate. Dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier above 2300m, the fresh snowdrifts have been deposited also distant from ridgelines in gullies and bowls, avalanches can reach medium size and fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack esp. on little-tracked steep north-facing slopes, above 2500m also on E/W facing slopes. Small-to-medium moist and dry-snow naturally triggered slab avalanches are possible. Wet-snow avalanches in extremely steep terrain and isolaated glide-snow avalanches can be expected, mostly small releases.

On shady slopes at high and high-alpine altitudes the freshly generated foehn-induced drifts lie deposited atop an unfavorable snowpack surface. Inside the old snowpack are several weak layers of faceted crystals which can serve as a slab atop the fresh snowdrifts. Also on sunny slopes, moist slabs can slide away over the uppermost crusts of the old snowpack. Due to reduced nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation and solar radiation during daytime hours, the snowpack is at least moist up to 2300m and is rapidly forfeiting its firmness.

Southerly foehn winds will intensify on Saturday night. Clouds from the south will accumulate on the Main Alpine Ridge and in the Lungau. On Sunday, strong-to-stormy southerly foehn wind, reaching 100 km/hr on the Main Alpine Ridge. In the evening, winds will slacken off significantly. On the Main Alpine Ridge and in the Lungau, summits will often be shrouded in fog, minor rainfall/snowfall is possible. Further north, visibility will be mostly good, some sunshine is expected. In the afternoon hours in the Northern Alps, showers are possible. At 2000m: 0-5 degrees; at 3000m: -6 degrees.

Likelihood of the snowdrifts triggering will gradually decrease, wet-snow problem will persist