Nock Mountains

Snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

Snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

Avalanche danger is LOW. Isolated avalanche prone lcoations are found in wind-loaded steep zones (gullies, steep bowls, forest clearances, etc.) and in general in NE/E/SW facing ridgeline zones. Fresh drifts are prone to triggering. In isolated spots even minimum additional loading is sufficent to trigger a small-to-medium slab avalanche.

Stormy NW winds transported the snow on shady slopes. The base for the snowdrifts on shady slopes in wind-protected gullies, bowls and clearances consists of faceted old snow and surface hoar, i.e. potential fracture points, elsewhere of hardened crusts. On west-facing slopes there is hardly any snow, exposed terrain is utterly windblown. The old snowpack is stable for the most part and tends only slightly with large additional loading to fracture propagation on a soft facted layer beneath the melt-freeze or rain crusts from the day at New Year.

On Tuesday, starkly reduced visibility due to clouds and fog especially in Northern Alps. A bit of snowfall is possible. Winds generally slackening off, still strong in the Tauern (gusts at 40-60 km/hr). At 1500 m: -6 degrees. On Wednesday, much sunshine, good visibility from the start. Winds light, no disturbance. At 2000 m: 0 degrees.

Temperatures rising only gradually, the snowdrift problem not measurably improving, wind-loaded zones should be avoided on Wednesday.