Nock Mountains

In transitions from shallow to deeper snow: beware persistent weak layer

In transitions from shallow to deeper snow: beware persistent weak layer

Above 2200 m in few places, weak layers in the old snowpack can trigger. Danger zones occur esp. on shady slopes in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, usually requiring large additional loading (low likelihood of triggering). Avalanches can grow to medium size. Below 2400 m glide snow activity can be expected due to rising temperatures. Glide-snow avalanches can reach medium size and release at any time of day, particularly on S/E facing slopes. Avoid zones below glide cracks. Near ridgelines, trigger-sensitive snowdrifts occur, esp. on N/E facing slopes, increasingly frequent with ascending altitude. The releases are generally small-sized.

The lowermost part of the snowpack has numerous melt-freeze crusts between which are faceted crystals, esp. on north-facing slopes and at high altitudes. The weak layers are most prevalent on shady slopes with shallow snow. The fresh snow from last weekend has bonded well with the old snowpack.

Friday will bring good weather. Above possible fogbanks, visibility is good, though the sunshine is somewhat dampened by clouds. As of midday, cloud cover will increase. Precipitation is not expected before evening. At 2000 m: +2 degrees; at 3000 m: -4 degrees. Mostly light winds.

Due to higher temperatures, wet-snow and glide-snow activity will increase on the weekend.