Nock Mountains

Hardly any avalanche prone locations, some weak layers in the old snowpack

Hardly any avalanche prone locations, some weak layers in the old snowpack

Avalanche danger is low, with very few danger zones where a slab avalanche can be triggered in the old snow by large additional loading. Most likely on extremely steep, shallow-snow slopes above about 2200 m in E/N aspects. Shallow-snow and extremely steep slopes, particularly near ridgelines, should be circumvented. The danger of taking a fall on the steel-hard icy surfaces outweighs that of being buried in snow.

Melt-freeze encrusted surfaces (steel-hard, icy, breakable, snowdrift patches dominate. Crests and ridges are utterly windblown. Beneath the melt-freeze crusts is a soft layer which is currently not avalanche-relevant. A potential trigger-sensitive layer of expansively metamorphosed and soft old snow is evident above 2000/2200 m in E/N aspects. This weak layer is currently not triggerable or only over small areas, i.e. not area-wide.

On Tuesday, the day begins with adequate visibility, clouds will pass through and create diffuse light. In the afternoon cloud cover will intensify, in evening or night some light snowfall is possible (snowfall level 1700 m). Winds will be westerly, blowing at light strength (moderate strength in high alpine regions). Temperature at 2000 m: -1 degree; at 3000 m, -7 degrees. On Wednesday, variable visibility, some rain or snow in the morning (snowfall level 1400 m). Longer phases of pleasant weather during the day, with sunshine. Bris to strong W/NW winds, stronger in high alpine regions. Temperature at 2000 m: -1 degree, at 3000 m: -7 degrees.

As a result of new snow on Wednesday and Thursday, the situation will change. On Thursday, heavy rainfall extending far up: to about 2300 m! Thus, rising avalanche danger.