Nock Mountains

Fresh snowdrift masses due to northerly foehn wind

Fresh snowdrift masses due to northerly foehn wind

Avalanche danger is MODERATE. Fresh snowdrifts will form on Friday on south-facing slopes, but even older snowdrift accumulations can be triggered. Snowdrifts can be triggered as a medium-size slab avalanches even by minimum additional loading. Most danger zones occur on W/S/SE facing slopes, both near to and distant from ridgelines, and in steep gullies and bowls in all aspects.

The fresh fallen snow from the beginning of this week has settled, but is still loose. Due to nights of clear skies, surface hoar has formed which is then blanketed by snowdrifts generated by intensifying northerly winds. Wherever the sun has moistened the snowpack superficially on Wednesday, a thin melt-freeze crust was able to form. Older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited in gullies and leeward bowls, are often blanketed with fresher snowfall. Bonding between the fresh snow which fell amid milder temperatures and the cold snow beneath it is often poor.

On Friday, the peaks will mostly be shrouded in fog-like clouds. In the Lungau Nockberge there will be extended dry phases, but northerly foehn winds will be blowing. AT 2000 m: about -11 degrees. Also on Saturday, mostly heavy cloud over the mountains, only the highest summits will be in the clear. Light snowfall is possible during the course of the day.

Little change is expected.