Nock Mountains

Thoroughly wet snowpack plus rain showers up to 1800m

Thoroughly wet snowpack plus rain showers up to 1800m

Avalanche danger above 1500m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Main danger: small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches which can trigger at any time of day or night. Superficial wet-avalanches also possible.

On Thursday it was very warm, rainfall extended up to 2800m. A thin ice crust formed. The snowpack (insofar as there is one) is 0-degree isotherm. Above 2000 m there was a few cm of fresh cold snow registered. Bonding to the base deteriorates with ascending altitude. Southerly foehn wind on Friday transported some of the fresh fallen snow.

On Saturday, variable visibility, repeated bouts of snow showers and rain. Snowfall level will lie between 1400 and 1800 m. Winds will be blowing at 30-50 km/hr in exposed zones, up to 70 km/hr in the Northern Alps at high altitudes. At 2000m: -3 to 0 degrees; at 3000m: -9 degrees.

Little change expected. Depending on altitude, snowdrifts and wet-snow problem requires attentiveness. Poor visibility makes on-site assessment more difficult.