Nock Mountains

Pay attention to weak persistent layers and wind slabs at altitude

Pay attention to weak persistent layers and wind slabs at altitude

The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 m and low below. Above 2000 m, medium slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in a few places in the aspects from west to north to east. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but not recognisable in the terrain. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow. Above 2200 m, avalanches can be triggered by individuals in wind slabs in a few places, in particular in the aspects from north-west to north to north-east. Danger areas are easily recognisable, they are located adjacent to ridgelines behind terrain edges as well as in steep gullies and bowls. Avalanches can occasionally reach medium size.

Fresh wind slabs can form at high altitudes. Older snowdrift accumulations have often stabilised well up to high altitudes. In shady high altitudes, however, they are still prone to triggering. Faceted crystals on a crust serve as a weak layer near the surface below the wind slab. Faceted crystals on crusts can also be found deeper in the snowpack; near the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep snowpack near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers are once again bare.

On Sunday, visibility will be good and the sun will shine frequently. In the afternoon, small cumulus clouds may impair visibility somewhat. There will be more clouds and fog in Lungau, where it may also snow lightly. The wind will blow briskly from south to east. Around -4 degrees at 2000 metres.

Gradual settlement of the snowdrift accumulations. Gradual settlement of the snowdrift accumulations.