Nock Mountains

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger above the timberline is MODERATE. Slab avalanches, mostly small, can trigger in some steep places even by minimum additional loading on NW/E/S facing slopes both near to and distant from ridgelines, as well as in wind-loaded gullies. The danger of falling often outweighs that of being buried in snow masses. Above 2200m, isolated weak layers in the old snowpack can be triggered and avalanches can become correspondingly larger if they fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack. Isolated glide-snow avalanches and small wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.

Atop a below-average but compact and moistened snowpack in wind-protected zones, 5-20 cm of fresh snow was registered. As of 2200m there are faceted crystals more deeply embedded inside the snowpack below melt-freeze crusts. The fresh snow fell amid wind impact, thus generated new snowdrift accumulations.

On Thursday night, strong-velocity NW snow showers and winds will pass through. Temperatures will drop significantly at all altitudes. At 2000m from +2 to -12 degrees. All in all, 5-20 cm of fresh snow is anticipated. On Friday, clouds will soon disperse and visibility will become good, apart from some irritating fog. The brisk NW winds (windspeeds reaching 60 km/hr) will gradually recede to higher regions. At 2000m: -11 degrees.

Wintery temperatures: avalanche danger is receding only gradually