Nock Mountains

Freshly generated snowdrifts require attentiveness

Freshly generated snowdrifts require attentiveness

Avalanche danger levels above the treeline are moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts are the major problem. Slab. avalanches of medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading, particularly near to ridgelines on N/E/SW facing slopes. Danger zones are difficult to recognize due to diffuse light conditions.

The fresh snow is being transported far-reachingly. Inside the fresh snow, short-lived weak layers are forming near the surface. At high altitudes the fresh snow is falling atop a generatlly wind-compressed snowpack surface where the bonding is good. In wind-protected zones the old snowpack surface can be loosely packed and thus, constitute a weak layer. Deeper down inside the old snowpack fundament there are soft layers lodged between hard layers at high altitudes. At low and intermediate altitudes the old snowpack beneath the fresh fallen snow is melt-freeze encrusted. The snow base evidences no marked weak layers. However, the entire snowpack can start to glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.

On Thursday evening precipitation will spread, the focal point will come at about midnight. The snowfall level will lie initially over 1000m, then gradually drop down to the valley floors. Widespread 20-35 cm of fresh snow is anticipated. On Friday, visibility in the mountains will often be reduced due to dense clouds and snow shower. In the afternoon, intermittent dry phases are expected, even a few bright intervals. On the Main Alpine Ridge and southwards therefrom, strong-to-storm strength winds from the north. At 2000m: -9 degrees; at 3000m: -17 to -13 degrees.

Snowdrift accumulations will remain prone to triggering