Nock Mountains

Avoid fresh snowdrift accumulations and zones below glide cracks

Avoid fresh snowdrift accumulations and zones below glide cracks

Avalanche danger is considerable above 1600 m. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally up to summit level at any time of day, esp on steep slopes with smooth ground beneath (grass, rocks) in all aspects. Above 1600 m they can be medium-sized. Avoid zones below glide cracks. Fresh snowdrifts from the last 24 hours can trigger even from 1 person, esp. on NW/N/E facing slopes above 2000 m behind protruberances, in steep gullies and bowls, mostly small, in isolated cases medium-sized. Due to higher temperatures, loose-snow avalanches are possible on very steep slopes, mostly small-sized.

Stormy winds have done their work on the snowpack, variable surfaces should be expected during descents. In many places the surfaces can bear loads. In general, the fresh snow from the weekend has settled well. Wide-ranging snowdrift accumulations have been generated at high altitudes, on shady slopes deposited atop a loose layer of faceted crystals. Even where the snowpack surface was encrusted, a faceted layer could have formed before the snow fell. The warm ground enables the entire snowpack to glide downhill when the ground is smooth. The weight-load of fresh snow and wind reinforces this process. The snowpack surface is moist up to 2000 m, thoroughly wet at lower altitudes.

On Monday, quite sunny weather right from the start with good visibility. High cloudbanks will be no disturbance. It will remain dry. The W/NW winds will continue to be stormy (up to 90 km/hr). Very mild. At 2000 m: +5 to +6 degrees.

Danger of glide-snow avalanches persists. The snowdrift problem is diminishing.