Nock Mountains

Moderate avalanche danger due to wet-snow avalanches

Moderate avalanche danger due to wet-snow avalanches

Avalanche danger increases swiftly during the morning hours. In early morning danger at all altitudes is moderate, medium-sized wet-snow avalanches (loosely-packed and slab) can be triggered by one sole skier. Even medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered on extremely steep extended north-facing slopes. As the snowpack becomes wetter, danger rises to considerable (Level 3) in all aspected, esp. on very steep W/N/E-facing slopes, increasingly frequent wet slab avalanches are possible, triggered either naturally or by persons. Particularly in high-altitude starting zones, releases can reach medium size. In very steep grass-covered terrain, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally all day long. Backcountry tours and ascents to refuges should be ended early in the day.

The snowpack below 2600m is at least moistened in all aspects, on sunny slopes often up to high-alpine regions thoroughly wet. The snowpack cannot sufficient radiate outwardly during the nocturnal hours, forms only a thin melt-freeze crust not capable of bearing loads, and softening quickly in the morning hours. High air moisture and local rainfall is making the snowpack even wetter. Weak layers of faceted crystals evident only on extremely steep shady slopes above 2600m. On very steep, smooth slopes, the entire snowpack can glide away.

On Saturday night, skies will be clear to start with, later from the southwest clouds will move in. On Sunday morning the last sunny windows will close, but summits will remain in the clear except for on the Main Tauern Ridge. Along the Main Ridge, light rainfall possible from place to place, snowfall above 2400m. In the foehn lanes of the Tauern, brisk foehn winds. At 2000m: 1-6 degrees; at 3000m: -2 to +1 degree.

The snowpack is becoming thoroughly wet. Main danger: wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches.