Nock Mountains

Avoid fresh wind slab, persistent weak layer problem in shady high altitudes

Avoid fresh wind slab, persistent weak layer problem in shady high altitudes

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. In the aspects from west to north to south-east, avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in wind slabs. Danger areas are located behind terrain edges as well as in steep gullies and bowls, also in the forest boundary area. Avalanches can occasionally reach medium size. Above 2000 m, avalanches can still be triggered in persistent weak layers in a few places in the aspects from west to north to east and occasionally become large. Such avalanche prone locations are rare, but cannot be recognised in the terrain. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow.

Since the beginning of the week, 15 to 30 cm of new fallen snow (occasionally with graupel) has fallen, less in the Nockberge mountains. The wind (most recently mainly from the north-east to east) has been blowing in at times. New and wind slab snow is lying in shady high areas on soft, faceted snow. Away from this, the snow has fallen onto a melt-freeze crust. Deeper in the snowpack, faceted crystals can be found on a crust; close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep frost near the ground is still poor.

The night will be mostly starry, with a brisk easterly wind blowing in exposed high areas. On Thursday, the sun will often shine alongside the scattered clouds. Visibility is usually very good. The wind from the north-east to east will reach speeds of around 40 km/h. Temperatures at 2000 metres between -5 and -1 degrees, at 3000 metres around -9 degrees.

Light snow showers on Saturday afternoon/evening do not change the situation significantly.