Nock Mountains

Glide-snow problem down below, snowdrift problem up above

Glide-snow problem down below, snowdrift problem up above

Snowdrift accumulations are still easy to trigger. Danger zones occur on wind-protected north facing slopes, esp. near ridgelines and in gullies, bowls. Avalanches of medium size can be triggered in some places above 2200 m even by minimum additional loading (1 person). Danger zones increase in frequency with ascending altitude. Weak layers in the old snow can be triggered in places in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, esp. on N/W facing slopes above 2200 m. Glide-snow activity persists. Medium-sized avalanches can trigger at any time on steep grassy slopes and over rock plates. Areas below glide cracks should be avoided.

The fresh snow from Wednesday has bonded well with the old snowpack. At high altitudes the fresh snowdrift patches are deposited atop soft snow, still prone to triggering. The weak layer is the loose snow beneath them. The old snowpack base is riddled with crusts which have soft layers between them. Esp. in transitions from deep to shallow snow, these layers can be triggered. The lowermost part of the snowpack below 2400 m is moist. A wellbonded snowpack can glide over smooth ground in steep terrain.

On Thursday, good visibility above the fog, widespread sunshine. Light snow showers possible in early morning. Residual clouds will soon disperse. Moderate NW winds in Niedere Taurn in early morning (40 km/hr), later slackening off. Otherwise, only light winds. Light winds. At 2000 m: -9 degrees, at 3000 m -13 degrees.

The snowdrift problem is diminishing. As temperatures rise, the wet-snow problem will increase.