Nock Mountains

Beware naturally triggered avalanche activity due to rising daytime temperatures

Beware naturally triggered avalanche activity due to rising daytime temperatures

Avalanche danger is low. On extremely steep sunny slopes, increasingly frequent wet loose-snow avalanches, mostly small releases, are possible due to daytime warming. They can release naturally or be triggered by a winter sports enthusiast. In addition, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger on very steep grass-covered slopes.

The snowpack has settled well, it is melt-freeze encrusted in early morning. Weak layers inside the fresh fallen snow have consolidated. Above 2200m on north-facing slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals in the lowermost part of the snowpack in some places. Below 2000m the old snow is moist, after nights of cloudy skies it softens quickly during the morning hours and forfeits its bonding.

On Saturday morning, sunshine and good visibility. In afternoon, dense clouds will move in from the north. In evening, snow showers, the snowfall level at 2000m. Only minor amounts of fresh snow are anticipated (max.5cm). The NW winds will intensify significantly during the daytime on Saturday, brisk to strong during the afternoon hours. At 2000m: 0 to +4 degrees; at 3000m. -5 to -2 degrees. On Saturday night, temperatures are expected to drop about 10 degrees at all altitudes.

Activity of wet-snow avalanches will recede as temperatures drop. T