Nock Mountains

Southerly foehn winds generating fresh snowdrifts

Southerly foehn winds generating fresh snowdrifts

Avalanche danger above 1700 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is MODERATE. Slabs can trigger by minimum additional loading and grow to large size. Winter sports in outlying terrain require much experience and self-restraint in route selection. Heed imperative to danger signs, e.g. whumpf noises, shooting cracks, snow plumes. In steep rocky terrain, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible. Glide-snow activity below 2400 m are still a threat. Snow can glide naturally over steep smooth ground, mostly small releases but can grow to large size. Avoid zones below glide-cracks.

Atop a relatively compact old snowpack or bare ground, 30-50 cm of fresh snow was deposited, sometimes accompanied by winds. The border to the old snowpack or the ground serves as a weak layer inside the fresh fallen snow. Weak layers in the old snow are possible on north-facing slopes above 2400 m, unlikely to trigger.

On Saturday the peaks along the Main Alpine Ridge and Nockberge will be in clouds from the south, a bit of snowfall is possible, but little. The southerly winds will be strong (70 km/hr). At 2000 m: -3 degrees; at 3000 m: -10 degrees.

On Sunday and at the beginning of the new wek, southerly foehn wind will generate more snowdrifts.